Even with Henry's return to Hope Valley, things went back to the usual routine. Nathan gave Joe Keegan a warning about disorderly conduct in town. Keegan's reply was that it wouldn't happen again. Nathan stood out front of the Mounted Police office as he watched Keegan walk out of town in the direction of his house. Nathan had a feeling it would be awhile before anyone saw him in Hope Valley again.
As he didn't need to be back home right away, Archie stayed in Hope Valley for a few more days. With the weather being a bit warmer than it had been, Nathan and Archie took Ally on an overnight camping trip Friday night. Nathan wasn't sure who woke up feeling stiffer Saturday morning, him or his father, but Ally enjoyed herself. In Nathan's book, that was the important thing.
Saturday evening, Carson came by with the photos from the party. As Nathan had requested, he came by with two copies of the photo of Archie, Nathan and Ally. While one copy went on display in Ally's room, Nathan presented the other one to his father. There were tears in the older man's eyes as he thanked Nathan for the gift.
Nathan and Ally said good-bye to Archie on Sunday. Afterwards, even for the Grants thing returned to a comfortable routine as October continued to creep by. Nathan and Elizabeth managed to find time to spend together, whether it was a meal, a walk or a picnic on the living room floor with the kids. Things weren't all smooth sailing, but the bumps they did hit were easily smoothed over.
Rosemary and Lee returned from their trip. They were both in good spirits as they were met by the stage coach by the same group that had seen them off, minus Gabriel. With Bill, Nathan and Jesse's help their luggage got into the house where Rosemary set about unpacking it. Their first meal back was supper at the café at Bill's insistence. Clara, Jesse, Elizabeth, Little Jack, Ally and Nathan were all there. Rosemary was full of stories about their trip. She was in her element, entertaining everyone who had gathered. She had brought a toy home for Little Jack and a new hat for Ally. Ally was looking forward to Sunday so she could wear the new hat to church.
After dinner, Rosemary, Lee, Elizabeth, Nathan and the children left the café for the row houses. Rosemary was carrying Little Jack. She'd had him most of the night, claiming she had missed time with him that she needed to make up for. Lee asked Ally about her party and Nathan knew his niece would be able to talk the rest of the way to the row of houses. Purposely slowing his steps, he and Elizabeth fell a bit behind the other four.
"Nathan, what are you doing?" Elizabeth asked.
"Taking advantage of the kids occupying Lee and Rosemary to have a few moments alone with you," Nathan replied quietly.
"I'm definitely okay with that," Elizabeth consented, smiling even if the expression couldn't be seen by Nathan in the fading light.
"You know there is a dance at the saloon next Friday night," Nathan ventured.
"So I've heard," Elizabeth commented, anticipating where Nathan was going with the conversation but determined to actually have him follow through with asking her. She wasn't disappointed.
"I was hoping you would like to go with me to the dance?"
"I would love to," Elizabeth replied, without hesitation. "I was actually wondering if you would ask me, or if you'd come up with something else to occupy your time that night."
"Why would you think that?" Nathan asked, glancing over at Elizabeth.
"Because you've been trying to avoid the two of us going to the saloon ever since we admitted our feelings to one another."
"I haven't," Nathan replied almost automatically, even as he tried to figure out if she might have a point. Granted, he hadn't been in the saloon too much himself since Gabe left town. The two exceptions were the night he'd had a drink with Bill and to talk to his dad. He had even found Lucas at the oil office when he had gone to thank him for his help rescuing Opal, and for checking up on him afterward. However, was he purposely avoiding the place with or without Elizabeth?
"You have," Elizabeth countered. "We've eaten at the café a couple of times, spent time at either of our houses, gone for walks, but when Clara and Jesse asked us to join them for dinner at the saloon earlier this week you told me to go alone because you had to catch up on paperwork in your office. I'll give you credit for actually spending the evening in your office, but I'm sure the paperwork would have waited."
Nathan sighed. "I guess maybe I have."
"Care to tell me why?" Elizabeth asked, knowing that despite the admission she wouldn't get an explanation without asking.
"I guess I was worried that if I went into the saloon with you that it might kind of be like I was gloating that I got the girl."
Elizabeth tried not to but she had to laugh at that statement. It sounded ridiculous. Then again, some of the exchanges between Nathan and Lucas while they were both trying to get her attention had been ridiculous. Trying to win the fishing pole and the bouquets of flowers after Bill talked to them while trying to figure out who had left the first bouquet being two that stood out to her.
"I'm sorry," Elizabeth said, trying to control her laughter.
"You don't need to apologize. It does sound kind of like something a couple of schoolboys would do," Nathan admitted.
"So, why the change of heart?"
"I want to go to the dance with you," Nathan said. Glancing down, barely able to make out Elizabeth's skeptical expression. "And I realize that trying to avoid being seen with you by Lucas is futile. It's going to happen at some point."
"Lucas and I are just friends. The two of us have worked things out," Elizabeth told him. "I know," Nathan admitted. "I guess I'm still a bit surprised that you chose me over him."
Elizabeth leaned her head against his arm. "Believe it," she told him. "Despite all his flash, and sweet gestures you're the one who captured my heart. Besides, I think Lucas has his attention on Fiona nowadays."
"Fiona? I thought she was just running the saloon for him?"
"Well, it definitely started out that way, but I've been noticing a change in his interactions with her as of late. Call it woman intuition if you want," Elizabeth told him.
"I will take your word for it," Nathan replied, ready for the conversation to come to an end as they were almost at Elizabeth's home.
Rosemary, Lee and the children had come to a stop in front of Elizabeth's home. Little Jack was contently resting in Rosemary's arms, playing with a handful of her hair. Elizabeth and Nathan approached them, still arm-in-arm. As the latter two joined the group, Elizabeth let go of Nathan's arm and reached out for Little Jack. With one final kiss to Little Jack's cheek, Rosemary handed him over.
"I think he's grown in just the time we were away," Rosemary lamented.
"Yes, he's growing too fast for my liking as well," Elizabeth agreed.
Nathan and Lee shared a knowing look but remained quiet. Lee, because he had learned when Rosemary wanted him to comment and when she didn't. This would definitely be one of the latter. Nathan because he remembered Colleen and his mother making the same comments about Allie when she was Jack's age. He had made the mistake then of commenting about kids tended to do that and got an earful from both Colleen and his mother. It was a mistake that he didn't intend to make this time around.
The little group said some final good-byes. Taking his wife's hand, Lee lead her into their little home.
"It is good to be home," Lee commented, more than ready to enjoy the rest of the evening relaxing with his wife. He was determined that they were not going to finish unpacking tonight.
When his comment went unanswered, Lee turned looking for his wife. Rosemary was standing at the window, hands cupped around her face in an effort to see what was going on outside.
"Rosemary," Lee said, knowing full well what she was up to.
"Shhhh," Rosemary hissed softly. "I want to see if they kiss or not."
Throwing up his hands, Lee walked toward the stairs, knowing his wife would follow him eventually. She would either be gushing with excitement, or disappointed, but either way he would know whether Nathan kissed Elizabeth goodnight or not.
Nathan looked down at Elizabeth. He wasn't quite ready to say good-bye. However, he really should get Ally home. He was quite aware of his niece watching them, while she waited for him. He also had a feeling that she wasn't the only one watching.
"Rosemary is watching from the window, isn't she?" Nathan asked softly as he held Elizabeth's gaze in the light from the lamps out front of both Elizabeth's home and the Coulter's.
"Oh, most definitely," Elizabeth said, amusement in her voice.
They stood for a few moments just looking into one another's eyes. In Elizabeth's arms, Little Jack had rested his head on his mother's shoulder and was looking up at Nathan as well.
"Just kiss her, Uncle Nathan," Ally chimed in. "You know you want to."
Elizabeth laughed as she looked down. She wasn't sure if her blush was noticeable, given the chill in the fall air anyway, but she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks.
Nathan knew that if he didn't kiss Elizabeth that his niece would tease him the rest of the evening, so he reached out and placed his hand gently under Elizabeth's chin. The amusement still clear in her expression, Nathan gently tilted her head up so that he could look into her eyes, which almost seemed to dare him to follow through with the kiss.
Without a word, Nathan leaned down and pressed his lips against Elizabeth's. Elizabeth returned the kiss, her free hand reaching up, coming to rest on the back of Nathan's neck. Nathan thought he heard a whisper of Rosemary's glee from inside the house, but that could have been his imagination. What wasn't his imagination was the quick kiss on his cheek followed by a gleeful giggle.
Elizabeth and Nathan pulled apart, both looking at Little Jack.
"You didn't want to be left out, huh Little Man," Nathan said to the toddler.
Little Jack gave another giggle, pleased to be the center of attention.
"I should probably head inside. I've got to finish preparing the math test for tomorrow."
"You two can keep kissing. My classmates and I won't mind," Ally supplied.
"I'm sure you won't," Elizabeth said, amused despite the heat still present in her cheeks. "However, there will still be a math test tomorrow," she informed the girl as she looked in Ally's direction.
Ally shrugged. "It was worth a try. Oh, speaking of school, I was wondering if you could help me shop for a couple new school dresses, Mrs. Thornton. Mine are starting to be too short and Uncle Nathan isn't much help picking out clothes."
Nathan shrugged his shoulders. "Dress shopping was not included in Mountie training, sorry."
Elizabeth laughed. "I bet not," she commented. Looking to Ally she replied, "I'd be happy to go shopping with you. How about tomorrow after school," she suggested. As it would be Friday, she wouldn't have anything thing pressing to accomplish for school tomorrow evening.
Ally's face lit up in a bright smile. "Is it okay, Uncle Nathan?"
"That'll be fine," he replied. "I'll be happy to watch Little Jack while you're shopping as well so that Laura can still have her Friday afternoon free."
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth said.
"It won't be a problem at all," Nathan replied.
"Okay then," Elizabeth said. "Perhaps after the shopping trip you and Ally would like to join me for supper?" she suggested.
Nathan glanced over at his niece. "What do you say, Ally?"
"Yes, of course," Ally replied excitedly.
Nathan chuckled. "I'm not sure if I should be insulted by that quick response or not."
Elizabeth laughed. "I wouldn't be," she told him. "Goodnight, Nathan. Goodnight, Ally."
"Goodnight, Mrs. Thornton. Goodnight, Jack," Ally replied.
Nathan leaned down and placed another quick kiss on Elizabeth's lips. "Goodnight," he told her quietly, before kissing the top of Little Jack's head.
"Bye, Na'tan!" Little Jack said giving a little wave.
Nathan waved back as Elizabeth turned to head inside. He waited until Elizabeth was inside, with the door closed, before turning away. Heading toward his niece, he put his arm around Ally's shoulders as he led her toward their home.
"I like that Mrs. Thornton makes you happy," Ally commented as they walked along the row of houses. "How long do two people usually court before the guy asks the girl to marry him?" she asked.
"I think it depends on the situation," Nathan told her, wondering himself if there was an etiquette on such things. He knew Elizabeth came from society. If he didn't wait a certain amount of time, would she think he was rushing things? What if he waited too long?
"Well hopefully it doesn't take as long as it did for you to ask her out," Ally commented. "Mrs. Thornton might get tired of waiting for you to ask."
"And how do you know I'm going to ask Mrs. Thornton to marry me?"
"Mr. Coulter asked Mrs. Coulter the same thing when she contemplated whether Mrs. Thornton would want a big wedding or a little wedding this time around. She told him it was inevitable."
Nathan shook his head. He should have figured that Rosemary would already have them married off. She always was happy about a romance going on in town.
"How would you feel about me asking Mrs. Thornton to marry me?" Nathan asked.
"Why?" Ally asked.
"Because this isn't just about me," Nathan told her. "It's not even just about Mrs. Thornton and me. Any relationship that the two of us have is going to affect you and Jack. Granted, Jack is a little too young to really have a say in things, but you're not Ally. I don't want to do anything that is going to upset you. I honestly want to know how you feel. Don't keep what you're feeling to yourself like you tried to do with my promotion."
The two had reached their home by this time. Ally headed inside without answering her uncle's question as she thought over her reply. Nathan followed his niece inside, being patient as he waited for an answer. As he shut the door behind him, Ally sat down on the settee. After lighting a few lamps, Nathan joined her.
"I'm scared and excited about the possibility," Ally finally replied. "Scared because I know things would change. It has just been you and me for so long, that I know if you got married it would be a big disruption to the routine. Not to mention, I know that Jack has a huge set of lungs on him."
Nathan smiled at that comment, but remained quiet for now.
"But I think we'd eventually find new routines, and I really like Mrs. Thornton. She was the first teacher that really put an effort into helping me fit in when we moved here. Even when I wasn't so nice, she didn't give up on me. It's not just with school either. I like that I can go to her about anything and she's willing to listen and understand where I'm coming from. A lot of adults don't do that. In her letter to me, mom talked about how it was okay if I had another mother figure in my life. That she actually hoped I would have that type of person in my life. Mrs. Thornton is probably the closest I've ever had to a mother that I can really remember, so I would be okay with you asking her to marry you if that's what you want."
Nathan reached out to pull Ally close to him. "Between you and me, I think that is where this is going, though I'm not quite ready to take that step quite yet."
Ally rested her head against her uncle. "I think I like how things are for right now," Ally admitted. "I'm not sure I'm quite ready to completely give up my alone time with you just yet."
Nathan placed a kiss on the top of Ally's head. "No matter what happens, we can always make some alone time for the two us whenever you want," he promised her.
"Good," Ally replied, content to stay right where she was for a little while.