Chapter 5

Early the next morning Amelia woke up earlier than was normal for her. She wanted to get breakfast ready before Nathan left for his rounds. She smiled as she thought about their dinner the previous night at the cafe. Unbeknownst to the newlyweds, Judge Bill Avery closed the cafe for the evening in order for them to eat there in a more private setting. They had set up a candle lit table with a lace tablecloth. They also had set out some champagne for them and served a succulent beef al la mode.

Amelia did meet a few more of the townspeople, namely Jesse and Clara. Once they got their money back from an investment gone wrong they decided to put their money into the cafe, and now they were co owners along side Bill. Amelia was excited at the prospect of making new friends, but first and foremost she wanted to get to know Nathan better. Everyone else present gave the couple the space they needed and they had the chance to discuss many various topics. They discussed their favorite books and authors and some of their hobbies. At one point Amelia found out that Nathan had made all the furniture in their home, so she made a mental note to look more closely when they returned.

One hobby that Nathan and his niece Allie shared was fishing, and even though Amelia was a city girl Nathan expressed his desire for her to join them the next time they went out. Amelia laughed for she imagined her father seeing her out in the wilds fishing for her dinner. He would be furious to see such a thing. But more seriously she agreed to go fishing as long as Nathan took care of the worms and the fish. Nathan readily agreed, happy she was willing to give one of his favorite pastimes a chance. The other thing they decided on was to take a honeymoon sometime later on, after they grew more comfortable around one another.

Amelia stretched her arms out and thought back to the present, and getting breakfast prepared. She quickly dressed into one of the simpler skirt and blouses she brought along (although it was still fancier than most people in Hope Vally wore.). She was worried that Nathan would beat her downstairs so she rushed out of the Allie's bedroom where she had slept and proceeded to head towards the stairs. What she didn't expect was Nathan exiting the other bedroom at the same time, so in her haste she barreled directly into his chest pushing him into the wall. Amelia squealed lightly on impact as Nathan grunted for she knocked some of the wind from his lungs, but he still managed to catch her before she stumbled down the stairs.

He was holding her by the shoulders as he regained his breath and Amelia stood captive staring into his eyes. Their position was slightly reminiscent of the night previously when they said good night to one another. He had gently held her shoulders and kissed her cheek. Amelia bit her bottom lip along with her telltale blushed cheeks as she relived the memory, and Nathan's lopsided grin told that he remembered it at well. Neither moved...they just kept gazing at one another until Nathan leaned in and captured her lips with his own. It was a sweet kiss, slightly deeper than the one they had shared at their wedding and Amelia felt that similar tingle down her back. It seemed she was the one out of breath now, for she was definitely not immune to Nathan's kisses.

As Nathan released Amelia she instantly missed being held in his arms, but her insides were still all aflutter from his kiss.

"We should head downstairs, I have to get going soon to start my rounds." He said and they started down the stairs. Amelia headed strait into the kitchen still with her goal of making Nathan some breakfast before he left. It would surprise many to know that someone who grew up with her social standing actually knew how to cook. Amelia's mother was not from a wealthy family, she was the daughter of a local baker. When her father had died Mr Gerald Benson (Amelia's father), offered to marry her. He had seen her walking around town and wanted her for his own, so when hardship befell her he used it to his advantage. Unfortunately, they never came to love each other, for Gerald was a difficult man to love. That is why Amelia's mother taught her several domestic stills, she wanted her daughter to marry for love whether the man be rich or poor. And when the time came Amelia would have the stills to take care of her family, if the need arrived.

What Amelia didn't know however, was how the giant cast iron oven worked. "Nathan... I am sorry to bother you, but this oven is a bit different than I am familiar with using in the past...could you quickly show how me how it works?" Amelia was dreadfully embarrassed for her lack of knowledge.

Nathan had just brought in some wood for the fire, so he brought it over to the cook stove and showed her the ins and outs of starting the fire and controlling the temperatures for cooking.

"Thank you Nathan, I will get you some breakfast right away." Amelia said and then she pulled out the ingredients and pans needed. Nathan wondered if she had ever cooked before. From their conversation over the last day he knew her family was very wealthy. He didn't like to think about Elizabeth, but being she was also from a wealthy family, she came to mind. He had heard how when Elizabeth first came to town she burned the teacher's cabin to the ground by accident . And how it took quite some time for her to feel comfortable in a kitchen.

It didn't take long however, for him to determine that Amelia and Elizabeth were very different in that regard. Amelia had some bacon frying and she was mixing up some eggs. Nathan felt slightly uncomfortable watching her cook, because he was so used to doing it for himself. So he decided to help her, he took out the loaf of bread he had bought from the cafe a few days ago and slathered on some butter to go along with the meal. Amelia looked surprised but she didn't say anything. She thought it was kind of him to help with the women's chores.

Amelia set the food on the table and after Nathan said a prayer for them they started on their breakfast. It was far simpler than what Amelia knew herself capable of. She had made scrambled eggs with onions and some bacon on the side, plus the addition of the buttered bread Nathan added. She hoped someday to make her mother's recipe for French omelettes for him to try.

Nathan was on the other hand completely satisfied with what she had made so he said, "Amelia, this is delicious." She thanked him and they continued eating. Nathan had a tendency to overcook eggs whether they be scrambled or fried, Amelia's however, were soft and fluffy. This was definitely a lesson for him to not judge one's abilities on mere appearance.

When they finished their meal Nathan asked Amelia if she wanted to change anything around the house?

"Perhaps I could make some more colorful curtains? I feel like it would really make it feel more comfortable and welcoming."

"I would agree with that, these are the curtains that were here when Allie and I moved in. Obviously, I don't know much about sewing or decorating. So why don't you stop by the mercantile and find some fabric you would like for them. You could also pick up anything else you might need. You can just have them put it to my account."

"Thank you Nathan, I think I will stop by the mercantile today." Nathan nodded his approval and got up from the table. He needed to get going so he caressed her cheek with his hand and told her he would see her later in the day.