Nathan was due back today and Sarah couldn't wait to see him. There was so much for them to catch up on. Dottie left town on Friday and the two of them had several more conversations about her plans to sell the store. Dottie was advertising the store in several areas including Buxton, Benson Hills, and Union City but was concerned about finding a buyer who would be interested in living in a small community like Hope Valley. Sarah remembered her own feelings of apprehension in moving to a small town but now she considered it to be the best decision of her life.
Sarah kept busy at the store all morning. She had been working with Anna quite closely to expand her skills beyond her excellent seamstress work. Anna had a sweet disposition and customers really liked working with her. It was not lost on Sarah that the store being sold would affect more than just her. She was concerned for both Clara and Anna. They had both become friends to her and the sale was going to affect all three of them. Anna was an excellent seamstress so Sarah was sure she could continue that type of work but Sarah wanted to help her expand her skills which would make her more attractive to hire. Sarah also knew that, should they still be there in a few months, it would be important for Anna to be able to step into Clara's role when she had her baby. Sarah caught herself looking around the store thinking about how much she would miss it when it was sold. As she did she noticed the familiar flash of red go past the window and felt her stomach clench in anticipation. She looked to the door as it opened and in walked Nathan. Sarah's face lit up and she went to him immediately. Fortunately no customers were in the store and Anna quickly retreated to the back room to give them some privacy. Nathan took Sarah in his arms and kissed her with a longing that had been building since he'd left town. Sarah relished the feel of his arms and his lips on hers. Being wrapped in his arms helped erase the stress of the week. Sarah stepped back and touched her hand to his cheek as if to make sure it was really him standing in front of her.
"You are a beautiful sight for sore eyes." Nathan kissed her again the fragrance of her perfume making him heady. "I'm sorry I can't stay. I just got back but wanted to see you before I head home to Allie and Archie. Can I pick you up for dinner at 6:30?" Sarah nodded in confirmation. She reached up and let her lips linger on his before he made his way out the door.
Having heard the door Anna made her way out to the front of the store. "He seems like a very nice man Sarah." Anna remembered how kind Nathan was to her when they met.
"Thank you Anna. He's a wonderful man and father. I don't know how I got so lucky." Sarah could still feel Nathan's lips on hers.
"Sarah, it's not luck. You are a lovely, kind, and generous woman. You deserve nothing but happiness. God knows that you and Nathan both deserve to be in a special relationship and that's what He's given you." Anna smiled at her boss and friend.
"Thank you Anna. That's a very thoughtful thing to say. I give thanks every day for having Nathan and Allie in my life." Sarah turned her focus back to work knowing it would pass the time faster and soon she and Nathan would have their evening together.
The knock on the door came right at 6:30. Nathan was always on time and Sarah assumed it was due to his Mountie training. She opened the door and stood, taking in the man in front of her. He took her breath away and she leaned against the door to give herself support. Nathan was dressed in dark slacks, a vest, and a blue shirt wearing, she noticed, the cufflinks she'd given him for Christmas. His black, wavy hair was combed back with one stubborn lock threatening to fall across his forehead. His blue eyes were focused on her and glimmered with anticipation. His mouth was turned up in a way that made Sarah want to touch his lips. He stood with one hand in his pocket and he used the other hand to draw her close to him and he brought his lips to hers. She felt the strength of his kiss and matched it equally. Every muscle in her body felt as though it had lost its ability to hold her up and she melted into his arms. He used his other arm to pull her closer to him his lips never leaving hers. When they broke away Nathan leaned his forehead against hers. "I didn't think this week would ever end." Sarah felt the same. Sarah knew that being with Nathan would mean occasional separations but she never realized how difficult it would be.
Nathan helped Sarah with her coat and they made their way to Abigail's. Sarah confided to him that she had found the week very difficult. "I never realized how much comfort and strength I get from knowing you're close by." Sarah felt herself tear up and tried to stifle it as she knew Nathan would feel responsible for her tears. "I'm sorry Nathan. I don't want to make you feel guilty. You have an important job to do and I'm not going to keep you from doing it."
Nathan stopped outside the café doors and pulled Sarah into his arms. "Sarah, don't ever think you need to keep your feelings from me. It's important for us to talk about it."
Nathan held the door for Sarah and they entered the café. There were several tables with people having dinner but Sarah didn't recognize any of them. Nathan directed her to the same table where they sat the first time they had dinner together at the cafe. Sarah was touched at how Nathan had recreated the beautiful simplicity of their first date. The white tablecloth, candles, flowers on the table and two glasses of champagne all showed Sarah that the brave, rugged Mountie she'd fallen in love with had a soft, romantic heart. He pulled out her chair and then sat across from her. Nathan took her hand and held it across the table rubbing his rough but gentle thumb across the top of her hand. Even the light touch of his hand on hers took Sarah's breath. "Sarah, what happened this week? I know what a strong woman you are but I could tell that something has left you unsettled."
Sarah was right, Nathan's instincts had enabled him to read through her attempts to sound as though everything was fine. "Nathan, you asked about the man who asked me out to dinner. It was Tom Hastings, my former fiancé. His law firm represents the owners of the new factory and Tom is here doing some legal work." Sarah heard Nathan's sharp intake of air into his lungs.
"Do you still have feelings for him?" Nathan prayed she didn't but he couldn't leave anything to chance.
"Oh Nathan, no, not at all. If anything he makes me incredibly uncomfortable." Sarah thought about Tom's comment about spending more time in Hope Valley. "He was having breakfast with Lucas and on his way out he said it looked like he would be spending more time in Hope Valley. I wonder if he and Lucas are working together on something."
"Don't worry darling, I'll keep an eye on those two. If there's anything going on with those two I'll figure it out. That's what I do especially with my new title." Nathan had been excited to share his news with Sarah and she looked at him with curiosity. Nathan told her that a new Mountie had been hired for Hope Valley to help with the increased responsibilities the growing town would require. "I've been promoted to Deputy Inspector. I will still help with some of the day to day operations but my main focus will be on larger investigations. It's the position I turned down once before so I wouldn't have to move Allie but they've decided that Hope Valley is a central enough location that I can do it from here."
Sarah's face lit up at Nathan's news. "Congratulations Nathan, that's wonderful news." She was so proud of him. "Did you tell Allie? What did she say?"
Nathan smiled. "Allie was over the moon. She told me she'd felt guilty that I turned down the promotion before so she was thrilled that I have another chance at it and that we get to stay here."
Sarah wanted to know all about his promotion and the new Mountie. Nathan told her the new Mountie's name was Steven Andrews and though he was a rookie he was a little older than the other rookies having worked in banking before he realized it wasn't for him and the Mounties had always intrigued him. As for Nathan's promotion he would be working on cases from all over the region. "It will require travel but it just depends on how much I can do from my office rather than being in the field."
The thought of Nathan traveling more wasn't welcome but Sarah knew that Nathan's talents were being wasted doing rounds and breaking up fights in the saloon and she told him as much. "Nathan you deserve this promotion and I know you've wanted it for a long time."
Nathan noticed Sarah's smile wane ever so slightly. "What is it?"
Sarah didn't want to ruin this special moment for Nathan so she told him it was nothing. Nathan asked her again and told her he would eventually find out what it was so she may as well tell him now. Sarah told Nathan "that's the problem with being courted by an inspector. I can never have any secrets from you because you'll be able to figure them all out."
Nathan looked seriously into Sarah's eyes. "I never want us to have secrets from each other."
"I know. I feel the same way." Sarah responded. "There is something else I need to tell you. Sarah took a deep breath and gathered herself before telling Nathan. "Dottie wants to sell the dress shop and she wants me to move back to Union City and manage that store until she retires."
Nathan's face clouded over. "What do you mean move back to Union City? Is that what you want?"
"No, that's not what I want at all. I want to stay. My life is here. You're here, Allie is here, and Archie is here. I can't imagine moving away from Hope Valley." Sarah hoped that Nathan understood how important they were to her. "This is my home now."
Nathan felt a moment of panic but pushed it aside. "Don't worry Sarah, we'll figure it out together."Nathan and Sarah ate their dinner both lost a bit in their thoughts. Nathan brought his attention back to Sarah. "Sarah, have you considered buying Dottie's? You're an excellent business woman and I know you would be successful with it."
Sarah looked surprised at Nathan's suggestion. "I hadn't really thought about it. Do you really think I could make it work?"
Nathan covered Sarah's hand with his. "I know you can do anything you put your mind to." Nathan raised his glass of champagne to Sarah and toasted her "To new possibilities." They each took a sip and Nathan continued. "Sarah, I will be beside you every step of the way."
Nathan's confidence was contagious. Sarah had some funds left from the sale of her father's bookshop. She'd set it aside for a rainy day but maybe it would be enough to purchase the store or at least make a down payment. Sarah decided she would call Dottie on Monday to see if the idea was feasible. A sense of calm came over Sarah. She looked at Nathan and smiled.
"What are you smiling about?" Nathan asked.
"I'm just so thankful for you." Nathan returned her smile before he paid the bill and got Sarah's coat. Walking home he put his arm around her shoulders pulling her close to him. At her door Nathan leaned in kissing her forehead then moved to her cheeks and the tip of her nose. Sarah stood still with her eyes closed. The anticipation of his lips meeting hers was almost too much to bear. She felt his breath on her skin and finally his lips touched hers sending her stomach into knots and an involuntary shudder through her body. Nathan ran his fingers through her hair pulling her closer to him. They stood like that for a while neither wanting to let go of the other.
"I better go. I'll see you at church in the morning." Nathan regretfully said good night and made his way home not sure how much longer he could leave Sarah at her door.