Chapter 39

New Year's Day brought with it cold temperatures but sunny skies. The sun took the edge off the cold. Nathan got out of bed and looked out his window feeling energized by the thought of a new year and new possibilities. Nathan wasn't much for resolutions. He thought they were something you wrote down and two weeks later gave up on. Today he wanted to focus on what the next year would hold; Allie growing up, Archie getting better, a new house for them, and Sarah.

Walking over to his dresser Nathan opened the top drawer and found the small box his mother had sent him. Opening it he took out the small gold ring with the single diamond framed by two sapphires. Also inside were two plain gold bands. One was for a man and the other, much smaller and more delicate, for a woman. They had belonged to his grandmother and grandfather. He took ring from the box and turned it every which way watching the sun send light reflections onto the walls of the room. Nathan had reached out to his mother shortly after asking Sarah to court. He hadn't made any decision yet but he wanted them for when the time was right. Putting the ring back in the box he placed the box back in the drawer and went downstairs for breakfast.

Archie was at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and some toast. "Dad, let me make you some eggs. You need more than toast to get better."

"Thank you son. That would be good. How was the rest of your evening?"

"It was good. We left just after midnight." Nathan didn't add any more than that. "Do we know what time Allie's due home? I need to ask if it's okay for Sarah to borrow Bridget so we can go for a ride."

"I think she's supposed to be here around nine." Archie liked Sarah and could see what a good influence she was on Nathan. "Son, Sarah's a real nice girl. I like her and I think she's good for you and for Allie."

"Thanks dad, yes, she is. We are blessed that she's come into our lives." Nathan finished making breakfast and the two sat quietly eating lost in their own thoughts. Nathan cleaned up the dishes before heading out back to chop wood for the stove. Though it was cold Nathan opted to go out wearing just his thermal and an old pair of pants held up by his suspenders. Nathan liked the feeling of working up a sweat with the cold of the air hitting you. It definitely cleared his head. He heard the door and looked up to see Allie in the doorway. "Hey sweet girl. Happy New Year, how was the sleepover." Allie told Nathan they managed to stay up until midnight but fell asleep soon after. She asked Nathan how the Coulter's party was. He told her it was nice which did nothing to satisfy her curiosity. "Miss Sarah and I wanted to go riding this afternoon. Do you mind if she rides Bridget?"

Allie told Nathan that was fine. She was hoping she could spend the day reading and catching up on the sleep she lost the night before. Nathan suggested going fishing when he returned and Allie thought that sounded like a great idea.

Nathan asked Allie to pick up an armload of wood and take it in the house. After all the wood had been taken in and stacked Nathan went upstairs to clean up and get ready for their ride. He dressed casually but took care to look his best. Heading downstairs he found Allie and Archie reading in the sitting room.

"Dad, do I smell cologne?" Nothing got by Allie and he saw the smirk on her face. "That's pretty fancy for a horse ride." Nathan walked by and ruffled Allie's hair which was Nathan's way of telling her to keep her comments to herself.

Making his way to the livery Nathan saw Elizabeth on her porch with Jack playing out front. Nathan bent down to pick up Jack's horse and hand it to him. Turning to Elizabeth he said "It's a little cold out to be playing isn't it?"

"He has too much energy to keep him cooped up inside. The cold air seems to wear him out so I'm hoping he might nap a little better this afternoon." Nathan was close enough that Elizabeth could smell his cologne. The smell and look of him in his blue shirt that reflected the color of his eyes made Elizabeth feel a bit heady. "Did you have a good time last night?"

"Well, you know I'm not much for parties but we did have a nice time. Well, I need to get going. Have a good afternoon."

Elizabeth watched as Nathan walked away. She had noticed that Nathan said we, meaning he and Sarah. She couldn't help but feel sad knowing that had she faced her fears so many months ago it might have been her with Nathan last night.

Nathan got to Sarah's right at noon and soon they were making their way on a now familiar route for Nathan. They rode for a while in silence just appreciating the fresh air and time together. After a while Sarah realized the direction they were heading. "Are we going to your land?"

Nathan smiled. "We are. I like to come up and make plans for the house and buildings." Nathan had been up numerous times since he'd signed the papers. He liked to imagine what it would be like a year from now. Granted there was a lot of work to do but as soon as he could get the plans drawn up he would work with Lee to purchase the lumber. "I wanted to see what you think of the ideas I've got so far."

They reached their destination and both dismounted. Tethering Newton and Bridget to the tree Nathan and Sarah walked hand in hand around the clearing where Nathan thought the house and outbuildings should be built. He stood behind Sarah with his arms around her pointing in different directions talking about the design of the house. He wanted at least four bedrooms and a big kitchen, dining room and living room. "I want to keep the floor plan open. I like the idea of feeling connected regardless of where I'm at in the house. The bedrooms and bath will be private, and my office, but the rest I want to have open. What do you think Sarah?" Nathan watched and waited for her response.

"I think it's going to be perfect." Sarah could picture what Nathan described and it sounded beautiful. "I bet Allie is excited about indoor plumbing."

Nathan laughed. "That was at the top of her list." Turning to look in Sarah's eyes. "I want you to love it as much as we do." Sarah inhaled and exhaled very slowly understanding what Nathan was implying. It was something she prayed for and had put in God's hands trusting his timing.

"I do love it Nathan. It's going to be a happy home." Sarah wrapped her arms around Nathan and pulled him to her laying her head on his chest. Closing her eyes she prayed for patience and guidance as they contemplated the next level of their relationship. It had her mind going in so many different directions.

Nathan pulled out his blanket and they sat together, Sarah leaned back into Nathan just appreciating the feel of his arms around her. They talked about the upcoming few weeks. Nathan was heading to Union City the following week to interview candidates for the second Mountie position. Sarah was expecting Dottie to come for a few days to discuss some plans she had for the store. "I wish you didn't have to go away for so long. I'll miss you." Sarah wasn't trying to make Nathan feel guilty. She just wanted to make sure he knew his absence would be felt.

"Don't worry, I'll call. Now that you have a phone at the store it will be easier to get in touch with you. Maybe Allie could be there when I call so I can talk to her too."

Sarah suggested Allie could come by after school and he could try and call then. "I was thinking I could cook dinner for Archie and Allie on Wednesday since I have the afternoon off. I would love to cook dinner for them." Sarah hoped keeping busy would help the time pass more quickly. She also wanted to have a reason to check up on Archie.

Nathan kissed the top of her head wanting her to know how much her kindness mattered. "There is something I wanted to ask you. You remember my friend Gabe in Brookfield?" Sarah nodded remembering the evening they'd enjoyed around Nathan's dinner table. "Gabe is getting married in February and he's asked me to be his best man. I'm taking Allie with me since she's so close to Gabe but I was hoping you might attend with us." Nathan quickly followed up explaining that they would be staying at the Brookfield Inn and she would have her own room. He and Allie would share another room. "I think you would really like Gabe's fiancée, Lillian. She and her sister Grace run the orphanage in Brookfield."

Sarah thought about the invitation. She knew it wasn't always deemed proper for a single woman to go out of town with a man but hopefully having Allie along and that they were attending a wedding were enough to keep the gossip mill that could be Hope Valley, quiet. "Nathan I would love to go with you and Allie. I've wanted to visit the orphanage since we raised money and toy donations during the Christmas festival." Nathan told Sarah that Lee and Rosemary were attending because they'd become good friends of Grace and Lillian since the Christmas they were stranded in Hope Valley. Now that the excitement of the holidays would be dying down it was nice to have something to look forward to.

Nathan and Sarah sat a while longer just enjoying each other's company. Finally Nathan thought it was time to get home. He'd told Allie he would take her fishing. It was her last day of the Christmas break and they hadn't had a chance to go fishing since Christmas Day. Arriving at Sarah's they stood at the door. Kissing Sarah still made Nathan feel heady. He'd never imagined being this affected by someone but as their lips met his body trembled involuntarily. He opened his eyes and had to force himself to turn and make his way home.