Nathan watched as Elizabeth poured two glasses of wine. His mind turned once more to the events of the evening. They'd started dinner when Gabe showed up, but soon after eating his friend begged their leave and went home. Nathan knew something had happened between him and Colleen. His sister hadn't even shown up, claiming through Gabe she didn't feel well, and Gabe left as soon as was politely possible. Elizabeth had seemed surprised, but she took it in stride. Nathan was concerned, but he also knew Colleen needed space when she asked for it. Not coming to dinner was a clear sign of her asking for time alone. As much as it pained him to do so, Nathan respected that.

Their dinner conversation had been mostly chit-chat as they shared bits and pieces of their lives. Nathan discovered that Elizabeth came from a wealthy Hamilton family, but that she had moved to Hope Valley to teach because she believed it to be her calling. He found it hard to believe that this sweet, down-to-earth woman was Hamilton royalty, but he admired her all the more for remaining humble. Nathan and Gabe shared a bit about their shared childhood. Elizabeth looked intrigued at the fact that they were friends from such a young age.

After Gabe left, Nathan had stood a little awkwardly, trying to figure out what to do next. Was it polite to remain in a woman's home with just the two of them? Should he make his goodbyes and head home?

Elizabeth answered the question for him. She had looked at him as they cleared the table. "Would you like a glass of wine?" she asked.

"Sure," Nathan agreed. Part of him had wondered if it was smart to spend time alone with this woman who caught his interest entirely too easily. Now, as he watched her graceful movements doing something as simple as pouring wine, he knew he was in trouble.

Guard your heart, Nathan! She's not available, and you're definitely not looking!

His fierce inner pep talk lasted only a few seconds. Elizabeth turned to him with a smile. Nathan swallowed back the attraction that leaped in his gut, accepting the wine she offered him.

"It's a beautiful night. Would you like to sit on the back porch?"

He nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. They made their way to the porch, where two chairs were nestled against the house. They sat, a comfortable silence stretching for a few moments as they sipped their wine and looked up at the stars.

"I love stars," Elizabeth said quietly. "I often came out here when Jack was in the Northern Territories. I'd look up at the sky and think that he might be watching those same stars. It helped me feel connected to him even though we were apart."

"He did look at the stars a lot," Nathan said, smiling at the memory. "Most nights I'd find him lying on his back, his hands behind his head, just looking at the sky. He told me the exact same thing – that he looked at the stars thinking you might be watching them from Hope Valley. He loved the idea that you both were engaged in the same activity even with long miles between you."

Elizabeth looked at him, tears sparkling in her sapphire eyes. "He did?" she whispered, her free hand floating to her heart. "He watched the stars at night and thought of me?"

Nathan nodded. "He thought of you often, Elizabeth," he said softly. "He was so proud of you. He told us all about your strength and courage and resilience. He said he was the luckiest man in the world to have you at his side."

A tear splashed onto her cheek, but she gave him a watery smile. "Thank you, Nathan," she said. "Thank you for giving me that gift. It means the world to me."

He smiled back, reaching out to place a comforting hand briefly on her arm. "You're welcome."

They were quiet again for a moment. Elizabeth spoke, still gazing up at the sky. "Was he happy?" she asked. "All those months…he said in his letters he knew he was doing the right thing, but he didn't say if he was happy or not."

Nathan pondered her question. "I think so," he said finally. "He was so passionate, Elizabeth. He talked often of fighting the good fight, of bringing peace and security back to the north. He was an excellent leader and formed relationships with all the men in our unit. He laughed often and poured all his energy into ensuring victory for the Mounties." He paused. "I think his only regret was leaving you behind."

Elizabeth looked at him. "Jack always did defend the innocent and vulnerable," she said softly. "His calling was to be a defender and protector on a large scale." She was quiet for a few moments, pensive. "I'm not sure he would have been satisfied living in Hope Valley long term."

Surprised, Nathan tilted his head. "He always talked about Hope Valley with such pride," he said. "Surely he was happy here."

Elizabeth nodded. "Happy, yes. For a time. But the call of the Mounties was strong on his heart, Nathan. He talked about settling down, starting a family, being rooted. I just wonder if he would have remained happy in that life."

Nathan's brow furrowed, but Elizabeth wasn't done. "Do you know he only proposed to me because he was leaving?" she asked. Her eyes were sad. "We talked about taking our time, not rushing our relationship, because we had all the time in the world. We were young and in love, so why settle down when we were still figuring things out?" She sighed. "I regret that decision. I wish we had committed ourselves to each other as soon as we knew we were in love. I wish it hadn't taken a war in the north to make him propose to me."

Nathan was at a loss for words. How was he supposed to respond to that? He was inclined to agree with Elizabeth, thinking Jack should have committed to her sooner. But he also knew his friend had a fierce love and devotion to his country, one that marriage would temper. Before he could formulate a reply, Elizabeth changed the subject.

"What about you, Nathan?" she said, taking a sip of her wine. "Were you passionate about fighting the good fight like Jack? Is that what brought you to the Northern Territories?"

"No," Nathan admitted, shaking his head. "I was content to stay in Alberta, guarding people closer to home. I was stationed in a small town called Pine Springs, but I was the only Mountie for several towns in the area. I ended up traveling a lot between four of them." He smiled. "I loved it. I loved getting to know the residents of each town, befriending them and getting to know their stories. I couldn't do that in the bigger towns or cities. It was a quiet life, and I was happy to be making a difference in a small way."

Elizabeth frowned, looking confused. "Then what brought you to the north?"

Nathan was quiet for a long time, memories assailing him. Elizabeth watched him, waiting patiently as if sensing there was a sad story coming. He couldn't tell her both reasons. One was too painful, and it was a reason he hadn't voiced to anyone. But he could tell her about Joshua. When Nathan spoke, his words were halting.

"My twin brother," he said. "Joshua. We went through training for the Mounties at the same time, and graduated in the same class." He couldn't help a small smile. "Jack reminded me so much of my brother. They both had a burning desire to help those who couldn't help themselves. Joshua was incredibly passionate, so dedicated to life as a Mountie. He wanted to do the right thing, to be remembered and commemorated as an officer who always upheld the right." His face shadowed. "When the conflict broke out in the Northern Territories, Joshua was one of the first to sign up. He begged me to join him, but I told him my calling was to uphold the right on a smaller scale."

Raising her brows, Elizabeth studied him. "I didn't realize you have a brother."

Nathan's jaw clenched. "Had," he said, the word barely audible.

Elizabeth's face crumpled in horror. "Oh, no, Nathan," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

He nodded, the familiar grief crashing over him. "He was killed in battle a year after joining the fight," he said, squeezing the words past his tight throat. "I was devastated. Joshua and I had done everything together from sharing a womb on. Me not going to the Northern Territories with him was the first time we were separated." He blinked back tears. "Looking back, I wish I had joined him. At least we would have had that last year together." He sighed. "I joined the fight after his funeral as a way of finishing what he had started. I felt I owed it to him." His throat worked and he clenched his hand in his lap. "But it never took away the pain." He fought the tears that threatened to fall. "I miss him every day."

To his surprise, Elizabeth stood. She placed her wine glass on the small table between them, then reached out to take his. Before he could figure out what she was doing, she grasped his hands and pulled him up, then wrapped her arms around him in a tender embrace.

Nathan froze momentarily, his mind kicking into overdrive. His emotions were high from talking about his brother, and his senses were filled with the woman offering him comfort in her arms. Every nerve was on high alert. He could smell the lavender soap she used. He could feel every press of her soft body against his. He could hear her small sniffles and instinctively knew she was crying for him. That sparked his own tears. They spilled from his eyes. Casting his reservations aside, Nathan enveloped Elizabeth in his arms, resting his head against her hair.

Everything about their relationship felt like it was moving too fast. There was no other person he would have allowed to embrace him like this after a mere thirty hours acquaintance. This embrace felt personal and intimate. Yet it also felt right. Both of them had lost loved ones in the north. Both were grieving. Both needed comfort.

Nathan didn't just open up to people. It took time and trust before he would share something so personal. Yet with Elizabeth, he had easily talked with her about a subject that still tore at his heart. She understood grief. She knew what he was going through, as he knew what she was going through.

So Nathan ignored his better judgment and held Elizabeth close, breathing in the newly intoxicating scent of lavender.

A door opened somewhere to the left. A woman's voice broke through the night air. "Elizabeth?" A strong incredulity was crammed into the one word.

The two of them pulled back, though there was a reluctance involved that Nathan noted immediately. Elizabeth looked into his eyes before releasing him and turning toward the woman. "Yes, Rosemary?"

Rosemary Coulter stood on her back porch, gaping at the two of them. Nathan nodded, having met her the day before when Lee took him to the dress shop. "Mrs. Coulter," he said politely.

"Mr. Grant," she returned, her eyes narrowing. She glanced between them. Her mind was clearly working overtime. "I…I just needed to…grab something from the shed," she said, practically jumping down the porch steps as she continued to shoot glances their way.

Nathan couldn't help chuckling lightly. Rosemary was as subtle as a charging bull. She obviously wondered what was going on. He looked back at Elizabeth. "I should probably get going," he said softly, not wanting to break the closeness of the moment, yet knowing now was the prudent time to leave.

Elizabeth nodded in return, her eyes fixed on his.

Nathan took her hand, pressing it lightly. "Thank you for dinner. And for the wine." Their eyes held for several long moments. "And for the conversation."

She smiled, squeezing his hand in return. "It was a lovely evening."

He couldn't agree more.

Nathan had been gone less than a minute when Elizabeth's front door banged open and Rosemary came rushing in. "Elizabeth Thatcher, what in the world is going on?" she demanded.

"Hello to you too, Rosemary," Elizabeth said calmly. "And to answer your question, nothing is going on. Why do you ask?"

Her friend sputtered in indignation. "You were wrapped in a man's embrace on your back porch!" she exclaimed. "An embrace that looked like one between lovers!" She shook her head, eyes wide. "Jack has only been gone for four months, Elizabeth!"

A pang of grief smote Elizabeth's heart. "I'm well aware that Jack has been gone for four months," she said, her words small. "I'm aware each and every day that the life we planned for ourselves will never come to pass. I will never experience the joy of being his wife or see him coming down the lane. I'll never hear him say 'take a walk with me' again. I'll never be able to have his children or watch him go on rounds." Tears welled in her eyes, pouring down her cheeks. "Nathan and I were comforting each other, Rosemary. We've both experienced loss and we understand each other."

Rosemary looked appropriately put in her place. Her mouth worked for a few seconds before her apology came out. "I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have made assumptions." She folded her hands in front of her. "Nathan was just being a friend?"

Elizabeth cleared her throat, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Well, actually, I was being a friend to him."

Brow crinkling, Rosemary shook her head. "I don't understand."

Her cheeks grew warm at the memory of her uncharacteristic boldness. "I was the one to hug him. Not the other way around."

Rosemary's mouth dropped. "I see."

Elizabeth was sure that she didn't. "It was a comfort hug, Rosemary, that's all." Even as she said the words, a flush crept up her neck. That was all the intention had been. Being in his arms, close enough to feel his strong body and smell sandalwood and cedar, she felt a peace unlike any she'd known in a long time. It felt so right. She couldn't explain why. Wrapped in his embrace, she hadn't wanted to let go.

The story of his brother made her realize that he knew exactly how she felt. He knew the pain of having someone you loved deeply wrenched away before their time. He knew the agonizing experience of wondering "what if?" They shared a bond through their common grief. Elizabeth had to admit it was nice having someone who understood.

"He's a friend, Rosemary," she said, looking into her friend's sharp blue eyes. "We met yesterday. He knew Jack."

Rosemary's eyes softened. "I didn't realize that," she said. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Please forgive me." She stepped forward, pulling Elizabeth into a brief hug. "My words were rash and uncalled for. Even if you were forming a connection with another man, that would be okay. Jack would want you to be happy."

Elizabeth blushed. "Rosemary, it's much too soon to be thinking about moving on. Jack has only been gone a short time."

Rosemary looked at her reflectively. "Yes," she mused. "But since when is there a timeline on grief?" She shook herself. "Sorry, I don't know what has me in such a mood this evening," she said, letting out a sigh. "I've felt entirely unlike myself of late."

Concerned, Elizabeth studied her friend. "Have you seen Carson about that?"

"Not yet," Rosemary said. "I'm going to pay him a visit tomorrow, though he's not likely to find anything. I think I've just been tired. And emotional." She gave Elizabeth a sheepish look. "Hence jumping to conclusions."

Elizabeth slid an arm around her friend. "Why don't we plan a tea party, just for us girls?" she suggested. "We can invite Abigail and catch up on everything that's been going on. We've all been so busy we haven't gotten together as a group in a while."

Rosemary smiled gratefully. "I would love that."

"Good," Elizabeth said. "I'll talk to Abigail tomorrow. Perhaps Friday night we can get together?"

Rosemary nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Elizabeth. A tea party for the girls sounds perfect." She pulled her friend into another hug, then said goodbye and walked the short distance back to her house.

Elizabeth closed the door behind her, leaning against it heavily. Everything about this evening had been so unexpected. She'd thought to have a simple dinner with two of Jack's friends and Nathan's sister. Instead, it had been just Nathan and Gabe, with Gabe leaving much sooner than expected. Something was clearly going on with him, but Elizabeth didn't think it her place to ask. His departure left her and Nathan alone, giving them the unexpected opportunity to share their hearts with each other.

It hadn't been the plan. She hadn't expected to open up like she had, and she certainly hadn't expected him to reciprocate. They talked like two friends who had known each other for years, despite having met only yesterday.

She had a feeling she would have to watch her heart with him. The connection they shared was undeniable.

It would be all too easy to feel more for him than she should.