Theresa changed her clothes for the third time. Nothing looked right. The worst part was, she didn't know why she was making a big fuss.

She was a firm believer in being yourself when dealing with others. If you were yourself, and they didn't like you, it was their loss. If you hid things or acted perfect, they wouldn't know the real you and it would be your own fault.

She buttoned her shirt, tucked it in, and tied her hair back in a bun, leaving a few loose pieces around her face.

It had been at least three years since she had been on a date. It wasn't for lack of wanting one, but after she broke up with her boyfriend, her mother got sick and she spent all of her time searching for Frank and taking care of her. She had put herself last, forgetting about her own wants.

Now, an intriguing man was showing interest and she almost didn't know what to do.

"Be yourself, love," her mother always told her. She would try. "I need to think of myself," she told herself.

DOWNSTAIRS

Ben put the roast in the oven an hour before and then left to get ready. Now he was headed back, a bouquet of fresh wild flowers in his hand.

As he walked down the sidewalk, he saw a young, blonde-haired girl headed his way. He watched as she walked happily, skipping every few steps. Then she went up the steps of the boarding house and walked right in.

He stopped on the porch, finding himself nervous. His wife had been gone a long time. Wasn't it time for him to move on? He felt that Theresa was someone he wanted to know, someone he wanted in his life, so what was his hesitation?

"Just go, Benny. Live your life. Move forward." Those were the last words his father's cousin said before he passed. So, it was time.

He took a deep breath and walked in, just as Theresa was walking down the stairs. "Good evening, Mr. Jackson."

"Good evening, Miss Landry. These are for you," he said, handing her the bouquet, except for one flower.

"Thank you. Who is that one for?"

"For this lovely young lady here." He walked over to Carrie and bowed, handing her the flower. "For you, my lady," he said dramatically.

"Hi," Carrie said with a giggle. "Thank you, sir."

Theresa smiled. Yep, that clinched it. She felt something interesting for the man and she barely knew him.

She followed them into the kitchen and found a jar for her flowers and then she stood back and watched him cook and answer a million questions from Carrie. He was so patient and kind. Very good qualities for him to have.

As he cooked, Ben answered a hundred questions for young Carrie, but he really wanted to get to know Theresa. She, however, just stood back and listened.

"Miss Landry, I haven't heard much from you tonight. May I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"How long have you been in living here, in Harris Town?" He set the spoon he was using down and turned to her, as if he actually cared what she was going to say.

"I came just after Thanksgiving."

"Where did you live before?"

"Buxton."

"What made you come here?"

"When my mother passed, Frank invited me to come here. I was struggling and I needed someone. Being alone was so hard." He could see her demeanor change as she spoke.

"I understand, believe me. I've been alone now for six years and sometimes it's overwhelming."

"I'm sorry. Did someone pass away?"

"Yes, my wife Renee."

She stared at him, seeing him stare into space, as if his thoughts were taking him back there. She reached out and rested her hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Jackson."

"Thank you."

She wanted to ask more questions, but felt limited because of Carrie being in the room.

As if by magic, the door opened and Frank walked in.

"Forgive me for interrupting, but I'm here to get Carrie."

Theresa was confused. "I thought she was keeping us company tonight."

"Can I keep you company a different night Theresa? I'll go with Daddy now."

"Sure, sweetheart." Carrie hugged her and then walked over to Ben.

"Thank you, sir, for my flower."

"You are most welcome, Carrie. It was nice to meet you."

"You too." With that, she was gone.

Theresa immediately felt nervous. Now they could speak without reserve, but what if he didn't enjoy her company?

"And then there were two," he said with a shrug. "Are you ok with this?"

"Of course." She didn't exactly feel comfortable but she figured it was because she hadn't had a date in awhile.

"Are you nervous? I am a bit."

"Yes, I suppose. It's been a few years since I've been on a date."

"Me too." She looked at the table and realized how beautiful it looked, but that there were only two place settings.

"Did you plan this, Mr. Jackson?"

"Plan what?"

"To have Carrie leave?"

"I hope you aren't angry. I understand the need for her to be here, but I really would like to get to know you better, not necessarily with a child in the room."

She chuckled. "No, not angry. You took a big chance that I would be though."

"I did. I don't take many chances, unless I believe the cause is completely worth it." His eyes flicked to hers, holding her gaze.

She felt her cheeks heat up and she felt a fluttery sensation in her stomach. "Oh my, he has gorgeous eyes," she told herself.

"Did you mean that, Mr. Jackson?"

He walked closer and smiled. "Call me Ben and yes, I meant it." He moved closer, staring into her soul, or so it felt. When he grabbed her fingers, she felt heat travel from her fingers up her arms until her whole body felt hot.

He didn't know why he did it, maybe he was going crazy, but some inexplicable force caused him to lean down and kiss her cheek. She closed her eyes as he did it, looking as if she was completely enjoying it.

Her heart raced causing her to close her eyes to the wonderful sensation of his warm lips on her cheek. Her senses seemed to heighten as it happened. She could feel everything and he smelled very….manly. Maybe a mixture of soap and aftershave, but whatever it was, she was sure she wanted to inhale that scent for the rest of her life.

"Miss…"

"Theresa."

"Theresa, why didn't you ever come out to see me in the restaurant?" He was standing slightly farther away now, which was good, because she thought she might pass out, however, strangely she missed him.

"Um…I didn't know who was out there."

"Are you sure? You didn't think it could be me?"

"Ok, maybe I hoped it would be you." Her cheeks heated again at her confession.

"Then, why not come out and see?"

"Nerves, I suppose." She sat down at the table and watched as the candles flickered on the table, casting a romantic glow on everything. His eyes, those green eyes, sparkled.

He turned and removed the roast from the oven to let it rest.

"Ben, can I help?"

"No, ma'am. I'm cooking for you tonight. Just sit back and relax."

She smiled at that. "Ok, then." She walked over and leaned against the counter. "It smells really good." "As do you," she thought to herself.

TWO HOURS LATER

Charlotte and Jake walked in the parlor door and heard voices. Charlotte started to walk in but Jake stopped her.

"Leave them be, dear. Their getting to know each other."

"I know," she whispered, "but they should be aware we are home, shouldn't they?"

"Sure, I suppose." He knew his wife was being nosy but he also knew he wouldn't be able to stop her.

Charlotte peeked in the kitchen. "Good evening. Just letting you know we're home."

"Ok. Thank you Charlotte." Theresa slipped her fingers gently out of Ben's hand.

They had spent the last two hours talking non-stop about themselves, soaking up the information. Somehow throughout the evening, her hand had found its way into his grasp. It had seemed natural.

"It's getting late. I should go."

"Ok." She was a bit disappointed but knew that it wasn't proper for him to stay much longer.

He stood up and looked at her. "Thank you for having dinner with me, Theresa."

"Thank you for cooking. It was really good."

"That means a lot coming from you." He smiled and leaned back down to kiss her cheek.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Ben."

Needless to say, both Ben and Theresa had sweet dreams that night.

THE NEXT MORNING

Theresa walked down the stairs and into the kitchen to grab coffee and toast, her daily breakfast.

"Good morning, Theresa."

"Morning, Charlotte."

"You seem happy this morning."

"I am, thank you."

Charlotte handed her a cup of coffee. "Last night was a success, I see."

"Yes. It couldn't have gone better."

"Glad to hear that. He seems quite taken with you as well."

"I hope so." She ate her toast quietly and then went to get ready for church, hoping to see Ben there.

When she walked in the church and sat next to Abigail and Carrie as usual, she didn't see him at first. Then she looked toward the side of the room and found him, talking to Frank.

His eyes eventually drifted her way. He nodded and she waved. As Frank started his sermon, Ben took a seat in the back.

All through the sermon, her mind drifted, as much as she tried to listen. Little did she know, Ben was having the same problem. She was falling fast for him and he was right behind her.

AFTER THE SERMON

Ben walked over and gently touched her elbow. "Hi."

"Hi, Ben. Good to see you."

"You too. Would you have lunch with me?"

"I have to work, actually. I have to prepare the specials for tonight. Why don't you come with me?"

"To the restaurant?"

"Yes. I can make us something to eat while I'm working. There's a table in the kitchen."

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"It was my idea, wasn't it?" She winked, causing him to smile.

"Very well. I'm ready to go when you are."

AT THE STREAM

Maddie and Nate sat under the tree eating while the younger kids ran around and fished.

"One more week of school. Are you excited?"

He smiled and took her hand. "Every day that passes is that much closer to making you my wife, so yes, I'm excited."

"You are very sweet, Nate Carlin."

He smiled and then looked at their hands. "Maddie, I made an assumption about us and then I realized it wasn't something I should decide on my own. I'm trying to remember that some decisions are joint decisions." She sat back against the tree and leaned against his shoulder.

"I'm listening."

"Where do you want to live?"

"With you."

"Well, yes. I would think so." She laughed.

"That's it. Wherever you want to live is fine, as long as it's with you."

"I was thinking the boarding house until I save enough to build a house for us."

"With lots of bedrooms for all the babies we will have?"

"Absolutely."

"Ok, since that is settled, I have something we need to talk about." She squeezed his hand and lifted her head.

"I'm listening," he said.

"Some men don't want their wives working. My dad has always said that as long as my mom is happy, he doesn't mind. What do you think?"

"I agree with your father. You are the most important thing in my world. If you want to work, and it makes you happy, I'm good with it."

"I want to help save for our house." Nate was silent. "Nate?"

"I want to pay for the house myself, Maddie."

"If I help, it will get us into our new house faster."

"I'm sorry but, no."

"Why?"

"Because that's how I think it should be. I'm the husband so I think I should take care of us, including building a house."

"Nate, I don't understand why. We are supposed to be in this together."

"We are, but it's my job, Maddie."

"So, we're a team, except when you say we're not?" She stood up and put her hands on her hips. "How is that fair?"

Elizabeth looked up when she heard Maddie raise her voice.

Then she saw Nate walk off and Maddie sit down leaning her head on her knees.

She stood up and walked over. "Honey, may I sit?"

"Sure." She kept her head down and sniffled.

Elizabeth honestly didn't know what to say. She didn't want to butt in.

"Can I go home, Ma? I really don't want to be here."

"Do you want to tell me what happened first?"

"Me Me!" Jay ran over and flung himself at her, hugging her neck.

"Hi, bud."

He leaned back and looked at her face. "Me Me, you sad?"

"A little."

"Smile, Me Me. Happy!"

She giggled as he used his fingers to force her lips into a smile. "See, happy!"

He snuggled into her neck and sighed.

"Mom, did Dad let you help pay for things for the house in Hope Valley?"

"I guess, I bought some things, like bedding or things like that. The house though, Papa William paid for it. Dad bought the land."

Maddie nodded. "Nate wants to save for a house and he won't let me help. He says if I want to work, I can, but I can't pay for anything because he's the husband."

Elizabeth again didn't know what to say. They needed to learn how to work things out on their own.

"What do I do, Ma?"

"Honey, you are going to be married, so I no longer will tell you what decision to make. What I am going to say is, talk to him. Listen to each other's points of view and if necessary, compromise."

"Come on, buddy. Let's walk home with Em." She set him on his feet and stood up. "Thanks for listening, Mom."

"I'll always listen, but now that you'll be married, I will let you figure things out."

Maddie nodded and walked off.

As they walked, they passed Nate's house. He must have been watching for her because he ran out of the house. "Maddie, can I talk with you?"

Em looked at her and shrugged. She took Jay and continued walking home while Maddie stayed with Nate.

Maddie looked at him, waiting. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I don't want to fight with you."

"Neither do I."

She crossed her arms and waited again. "Lets sit down, ok?"

She followed him to the porch swing and sat about a foot away from him. "Maddie, I don't know exactly how to start."

"Tell me why I can't help pay for a house that we will both live in. A house that our babies will be born in. A house we will grow old together in. Why shouldn't I get a say in how it will look?"

He thought for a moment. "People expect a husband to take care of his family. I don't think you realize how much pressure that puts on me."

"I'm trying to take some of that pressure off you. I think that a wife should support her husband and back him up."

"Then support me in this. This is important to me. I need to show that I'm capable."

"Who are you proving yourself to? I can tell you right now, Nate, the last thing you need to do is convince me of your ability to care for me."

"Not you."

"Who?"

"Everyone else. People automatically think that because we are young, that we don't know what love is, or that we couldn't possibly know how to be a husband or wife, but I know with all of my heart that I love you. I know I can be a good husband. I can support our family."

"Who told you that you aren't capable? I'd like to have a talk with them."

"They didn't have to tell me. I can see it in their eyes. I'm not good enough." He looked out across the field toward the land that would be his one day.

"Nate, you are perfect for me. That's all that matters. You don't need to listen to anyone else."

"Maddie, this is important to me. I need your support in this. I need to take care of you."

"Compromise if necessary" her mother had said.

"Let's compromise."

"What do you mean?"

"You pay for the supplies needed to complete the house and I will pay for furnishings."

Nate looked at her, the young woman he would marry in about a year. Hopefully, they'd be together for the next fifty years and have a family and be happy. He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy because that would make him happy. "Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yes, you take care of furnishing it, and I'll take care of the rest."

She smiled at him and then pulled him off the swing so she could hug him. "Come here, Nate."

He stepped close and wrapped his arms around her, staring into her eyes. "I'm sorry we fought, Maddie."

"Me too."

He bent down and kissed her. "I love you."

"To the moon and back, Nate."