They walked to their new house, both a bit nervous, but excited to finally be alone. He squeezed her hand as they walked up to their door. "We're home," he said with a smile. He opened the door and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her inside.

When he shut the door with his foot, he gently set her down, keeping his hands on her waist. She stared into his eyes for a moment and then smiled.

"What should we do?" she asked him quietly.

The question made him nervous. "Um, maybe get into some more comfortable clothes?"

"Ok, but I'm going to need your help."

"What?" His eyes grew big and he stuttered. "Um…what do you mean?" She turned around.

"I can't get the buttons. I'm going to need your help, honey." She actually liked the fact that Nate was more nervous than she was. In a weird way, it made her more calm.

She led him into the bedroom and turned again. She felt him struggle with the first button, his hands shaking. She turned back to face him and grabbed his fingers. "Why don't we just talk for a bit?"

He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight against his chest, a little embarrassed that he was so nervous. She looked up at him and smiled. "You're pretty cute when you're nervous."

"I don't know why I am. I'm sorry, Maddie."

"Don't apologize, Nate. This is new and we are finally alone. My mom told me the key is to relax and just let things happen."

"You talked to your mom about this?"

"Yes, I was scared. She is easy to talk to."

"You don't seem scared now."

"I'm not. I'm just happy." Her admission gave him more courage.

He turned her and attempted the crazy little buttons again. This time he was successful. She felt the dress loosen so she held the top up with one hand and walked over to the dresser and retrieved her nightgown and robe. "I'll be back."

IN THE BATHROOM

She slipped the short, silky, blue nightgown over her head and turned to look in the mirror. "I should have grabbed the long one," she muttered to herself. Never had she felt more uncomfortable in a piece of clothing before. Obviously she had never worn this little clothing in front of anyone, much less a man. She adjusted the straps to cover a little more of herself. She put the robe on and tied it, feeling more covered, but only a little. The robe wasn't any longer than the nightgown.

She took the pins out of her hair and hung her dress on the back of the door.

She took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Nate?"

"In the kitchen. Do you want some tea?"

"Sure," she said as she joined him.

He turned and looked at her, dropping the kettle onto the stove top, scaring them both.

She smiled at his nervousness again. "Do you like it?" He was staring but not speaking.

"Yeah." The sight of a beautiful woman, his Maddie, in a robe, with bare legs…he could barely breathe. He walked over and kissed her, burying his fingers deep in her hair. "I thought you in your dress…but now…my goodness." He kissed her again and again, knowing he wasn't scared anymore. Everything would be just fine.

A FEW HOURS LATER

Maddie woke up, draped across Nate's chest. She smiled and kissed his cheek. He moaned quietly and pulled her closer.

The emotion and closeness she felt after their time together was like nothing else she had ever felt before. She loved him more and trusted him more. He was a wonderful, caring husband and she was beyond happy.

His stomach growled making her giggle.

"What's so funny?"

"I better go make you some food."

"That could be a problem, babe."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think we have any food. I didn't buy any, did you?"

"No, but Abigail did. She gave us just enough for dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She knew we wouldn't feel like leaving so she took care of it."

"Thank goodness for Abigail."

"I'll be back." She got up, quickly wrapping her robe around her body and left the room.

Nate put his pants on and followed her.

"I would have brought the food to you, Nate."

"I missed you."

"I've been gone for about a minute." She was teasing…she missed him too.

"Can't help it." He hopped up on the counter next to her and watched her pull out bowls of food and then put some of each thing on their plates.

The forks, however, were in the drawer under where he was sitting. "Sweetie, can you maybe move a little so I can get the forks?"

"What if I don't want to move?"

"Then you will be eating with your fingers."

"I'm good with that."

She shook her head at him, seeing the gleam in his eyes. "Ok, what do you want?"

"You, over here." He took the spoon from her hand and pulled her over right between his knees. He rested his arms on her shoulders and leaned forward to kiss her. "I love you, Maddie."

"I love you too." She swiped her finger in the mashed potatoes and wiped it on his chest, laughing. As she took her finger away he grabbed it and brought it to his mouth, eating what was left.

"See, we don't need forks."

"I suppose we don't."

The rest of the day was spent doing much of the same. Just as the sun was going down, they took a walk to the stream. "Our trip will be nice, I think. Penny said the inn is beautiful."

"I'm glad."

"You're quiet tonight, honey. Everything ok?"

"Of course. What could possibly be wrong?"

"I don't know. If there is, you can tell me." He kissed her temple.

"Nothing is wrong, I promise. I'm just thinking about everything."

"Do I make you happy, Nate?" He turned and looked at the uncertainty on her face.

"Of course!"

"I mean this is so new and I don't want you to be disappointed."

"Yes, this is new but you and I are together now. You could never disappoint me."

"Are you sure?" He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

"This is a different side of you, babe. You are usually so confident."

"I didn't ever worry about what someone else thought before. I want to be the best wife and mother. I want it so badly."

"I'm not worried."

"Why is that?" She sat down on the log by the stream.

"Because I know you. Being a mom will come very natural to you. You have been my wife for like seven hours and you've already rendered me speechless three times. I know you so well, but you still surprise me. I can't wait to learn everything about you."

"We should go home, Nate."

"Why?"

"Two reasons. We need to pack for our trip and I'm dying to try out the new bathtub." She smirked, taking his hand and pulling him behind.

"Make that four times." He had no doubt he had married the best woman for him. He loved surprises and she seemed to be full of them.

THE BOARDING HOUSE

Julie and Tom sat in their room talking. They knew how much they needed to clear the air, admit their mistakes, and finally move forward so they could stop living in the past.

"During the vows, Tom, I realized that our slipping away from each other was my fault as much as yours. I didn't fight for us and I am so sorry. You deserved more than I gave you."

"Julie, I appreciate you're apology but I don't blame you for being angry with me."

"If I'm being honest, I think once I found out about her, I wanted to punish you. I was so hurt and I wanted to hurt you too." She was embarrassed she had acted that way.

"Jules, I never stopped loving you. I want you back. It's literally hurting me right now to sit here and talk to you and not know if I will ever be able to touch you again."

She touched his hand and squeezed. "I miss you Tom but we're not ready yet."

He knew their relationship couldn't be fixed that quickly, but the longer it took, the harder it was.

THORNTON HOUSE

Jack watched Elizabeth rock Kylie to sleep while he held Jay. Jay was having a rough time knowing Maddie wasn't coming home.

He rubbed his back, humming, trying to relax him.

"Daddy, I want Me Me."

"I know, buddy. She will come visit in a few days when she gets back from her trip."

Telling him "a few days" started a whole new wave of crying.

Em knocked on the door.

"Come in," Elizabeth said quietly.

"Hi, I thought maybe Jay might want to sleep in Me Me's bed." She walked over and kissed his cheek, now hot and red from being so upset. "Do you want to sleep with me, in Me Me's bed?" He lifted his head and nodded, reaching for her. "Give Daddy and Mama kisses and then we will go to bed." He kissed Jack and then went over to Elizabeth.

"Night, Mama." His breathing shuddered as he spoke.

"Night, baby. It's going to be ok, I promise."

He followed Em out of the room and down the hall.

Em knew that Maddie and Nate were leaving on the early train, so she thought she would take Jay to the train to say goodbye.

He climbed into bed and snuggled up to her. "Night Jay. Love you."

"Night."

THE NEXT MORNING

Em woke him up early, telling him that they were going to see the train. He loved the train so he went willingly.

They got dressed and left the house while everyone was still asleep. He walked next to her, quiet but watching everything. When they arrived at the depot, he yelled, "Me Me!" He took off running to go see her.

"Jay? What are you doing here?" She picked him up and hugged him, looking for an explanation.

"He had a rough night, so I thought if he could say goodbye and see you, it might help," Em explained.

Nate stood beside Maddie, his hand on her waist.

"Jay, I need you to be a brave boy when I leave."

"I don't want you to go."

"I know, but that's why you have to be brave. I won't be gone long, but I need to be with Nate."

"Why?"

"Because I do. You need to listen and be brave. Promise?"

He looked at Nate and her and then hugged her even harder. "Promise, Me Me."

A moment later, the conductor yelled, "All aboard," and it was time to say goodbye.

Maddie hugged him tight and kissed his cheek. "Ok, bud. I'll see you soon." He frowned as she put him down. "Be brave."

Em hugged her sister and they both watched as Maddie and Nate climbed aboard.

THE THORNTON HOUSE

Caleb rolled over expecting to find his wife's warm body next to his, but instead he found a cool bed. "Ames?"

The crib was empty across the room too. He got up and dressed, running his fingers through his hair, and walked downstairs.

He found her in the kitchen chatting with everyone else. "Hi, babe. Coffee?" she asked.

"No thanks, I'm going for my run. See you in a bit." He kissed her cheek and left the room.

"How far does he run, Amy?" Elizabeth asked.

"I think he's up to seven miles. He tries very hard to stay in shape. Constable Swift is tough on him."

"It's a beautiful day. Who wants to go outside with me?" Jack asked. Will and Drew were up for it and Carlie always liked to be part of the action.

Mason clapped. "Me, Papa!"

"You, Mason? Ok, buddy. Let's go. Abbie? Want to go, baby?"

"Yes," she said.

Meri, ever the timid one, watched but didn't seem too excited.

So, Elizabeth, Kylie, Amy, Meri, and Logan stayed and played inside.

OUTSIDE

Jack sat on the porch step and watched Will and Drew toss a ball back and forth and Carlie, Abbie, and Mason playing on the grass.

Mason walked over and handed him a rock. "Wock, Papa."

"Yes, rock. You are a smart boy, Mason."

"Dada?"

"He'll be back soon."

"Dada, bye?"

"He went for a run. He will be back soon."

"Bye bye," Mason repeated.

Jack wondered if Mason thought he wasn't coming back for a long time or if he just didn't understand.

"Daddy, come look!" Carlie and Abbie were laying on the ground looking up at the sky. "Look at the cloud! It looks like a dog!"

Abbie agreed. "Doggie."

Jack walked over and sat down and then laid back on the grass to see what Carlie was so excited about. Then Mason came over and laid right next to him.

They stayed like that for awhile, pointing out cloud shapes and birds and finally, Mason fell asleep on Jack's chest, with Abbie and Carlie dozing next to him.

Caleb walked up and saw Mason laying on Jack's chest, wishing he had a camera. He didn't, but he bet his mom knew where his dad's was. He quietly ran inside and retrieved it, and a few moments later, walked back out. He took it off the tripod and laid in the grass to get a shot from that perspective and then backed up to get the four of them.

He would never forget the sight that he had captured. The love that his father showed for everyone, even in his sleep, warmed his heart.

THAT EVENING

Nate took Maddie's hand and led her off the train. They waited for their suitcases and then walked down the sidewalk through Deer Falls.

Nate planned on introducing Maddie to his Uncle Paul at some point, but tonight, he just wanted to find the inn, get some dinner, and sleep.

He headed inside the mercantile and asked where to find the inn.

"Yes, young man. The inn is just outside town. Head down this way and you can't miss it."

"Thank you sir. How far do you think? My wife and I are tired and would like to rest before too much longer."

"Wife, you say? You seem awful young to be married." The skeptical look on the man's face wasn't lost on Nate.

Maddie stepped inside and grabbed Nate's arm. "Honey, did you find out how far?"

"You the missus? Why you look.."

"Sir, yes, this is my wife, and we just want to know how far it is to the inn."

"As I said, just outside town. It's a fair walk from here, but shouldn't take more than ten minutes or so."

"Thank you," Nate nodded.

Maddie nodded and followed him out.

"I don't see what difference it makes that we're young, Maddie. I just needed an answer to my question." Nate was walking fast and she was struggling to keep up.

"Nate, slow down please. I don't think he meant to offend you. He noticed we are young. Why does that bother you?"

"Because, it shouldn't matter. I'm perfectly capable of being your husband at sixteen."

"Of course you are."

"I want to be known as a capable, hardworking rancher, not just young."

"Nate, look at me, sweetie, and please slow down." She put her suitcase on the ground and sat on it. He finally stopped walking and then came back and sat on his suitcase. "What do you think of yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you think you're capable and hardworking?"

"Yes."

"Do you? To me it sounds like you are trying to prove to yourself that you can do this. How do you really feel? Do you think you are too young to be a good husband to me?"

"No." She stared at him for a moment and he stared back. How did she know he questioned himself? "Fine, maybe I do feel that way."

She leaned forward and grabbed his hands. "Why?"

"I don't know."

"The fact that you were more nervous than I was to be together for the first time, proved to me that I married the perfect person for me. You cared what I was feeling and you made me feel comfortable. That meant so much to me."

"Of course I did. I love you."

"You are mine now, in every sense of the word, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together."

THANK YOU TO SHANNON TURNER MELLOT FOR THE "WATCHING THE CLOUDS" IDEA. IT BECAME LESS OF A ROMANTIC THING AND MORE OF A FATHER/GRANDFATHER/CHILDREN THING, BUT I THINK IT WORKED! I HOPE YOU DID TOO 😁😁