CHAPTER 16
On her way back into town Bea had tried to distract herself by talking to Hero, telling him all about Lunar and the life they had in Scotland and at Bramble, it wasn't working. The image of Nathan standing frozen to the spot was implanted in her memory now, she knew it would stay with her for life. Never had a man left such an impression on her. It wasn't just the way he looked, he was a very handsome man, beyond that even, it was the feeling, she was having difficulty describing it to herself, understanding it even. She did sense there was more to this strong man than he showed the world, there was a sensitive heart and soul that he kept hidden.
Bea had grown up surrounded by men, females were few and far between in her family. Her Grandfather's in early years, Dad, of course, Uncles but then all the men on the estate and in the shipyard. Choosing the career she did hadn't improved that either. She had always been more at ease around males than females, she definitely wasn't your typical girlie female. Never though had any man left such an impression, "You have only known him a matter of hours for goodness' sake," she was telling herself. "Even Grant hadn't made her feel like that. Oh my, I hadn't thought of him in months" she thought, "I wonder how he is if things worked out for him. Well, I am not going there again."
Grant McNab was the estate manager for one of Bea's biggest clients, a huge sporting estate that ran between Inverness and Drumnadrochit. They had been together for just over three years. The only romantic relationship she had ever had. Everyone was waiting for the big announcement, it never came. When his first love suddenly arrived back in the village that was the end of that. Bea vowed there and then never again, she didn't need another man in her life. Moving back home had eased the pain. Her work, family, 2 legged and 4 legged, were all she needed. Had she loved him? She thought she had, he was a good man and worshipped the ground she walked on, who knows. That was in the past. Romance wasn't for her she decided.
She was almost back, "I am going to send my telegram and letters then call at the library, see if they have an atlas I can borrow. I need to start planning ahead. "After sorting Hero, she went back to her room and collected the letters and her purse.
Ned was buzzing with excitement, "Bea I have 2 letters for you, forwarded from the hotel in Union City, they came in this morning." She knew who they were from straight away, one from Ethel the other Uncle Charles, it would be wonderful to catch up on all their news, it had been 6 weeks since she left Liverpool, longer for Bramble. News of home would be wonderful.
"I have 3 to post today Ned, and my telegram if I may."
"Let me get my pad. Did you enjoy your ride this morning? We saw you heading out with Nathan.
"I did Ned, it was so good to get back in the saddle, there is so much I would like to explore before I leave and who better to show me around than Nathan. I am hoping to venture further afield over the coming days, a trip up into the mountains is a must."
"Don't go heading off up there on your own Bea, whatever you do. The weather can change in minutes, so many tracks and trails, you need a guide if you decide to do that."
"It will be like being back home, our mountains are just the same."
Having dictated and paid for the telegram and postage Bea had a thought.
"Ned, you wouldn't have such a thing as a chalkboard, would you? "
"It's not something I would keep in stock but I could get you one, it will only take a couple of days."
"That's fine, it is just to leave in the livery, a kind of message board."
"A message board? "
"Yes, if anyone is planning on going out riding on their own, they would just leave a little message to say where, if the worst should happen then at least a search party would know where to start looking. It's something we do back home, I am going to help Nathan set something similar up, nothing much to it really. I thought I would surprise him by leaving such a message for him to see when he gets back."
As she was leaving Ned called her back, "Bea hang fire I just remembered something"
He returned with a board, not new, but it would do the job. "Is this any good? We used to use it for opening and closing hours, it's just been gathering dust out the back."
"It is ideal Ned; would you have chalk too?"
"That I do have."
"How much do I owe you?"
"Those are from me, no charge, my contribution to this scheme."
"Oh, thank you Ned, that is so kind, I will let Nathan know."
She carried the board back to the livery and thought about a message, she had to leave one, it will make him smile that amazing smile, "stop it Morag Gregory."
Coffee and pie outside the café followed, it was another beautiful day. She had decided to save opening the letters until later, find a nice quiet spot and take her time to read them.
Off to the library next, hoping they had an atlas she could study. Maybe a different route back to New York, head down into America then across. She had to plan, for some reason, she felt the need. Her original idea had been to stay here in Hope Valley until the beginning of September at least, she had a feeling that may change. If she needed to run for home then she would be prepared.
Not much luck with an Atlas, but she had spent a while in the library scouring the books. The smell, that special smell only a library has transported her back to her own library, to home. A fleeting thought crossed her mind, had she been mad to do this, maybe she should just go back. It had been over a week since she arrived and whatever the reason was, whatever it was that had drawn her all this way was still nowhere to be found. One thing she decided there and then, if nothing became apparent soon then she wouldn't waste this trip. It was a trip of a lifetime, a one-time-only, and she would make the most of it.
Around five Bea headed out again, letters in her pocket and a jacket in case it got chilly, she headed for the pond. A nice quiet spot to read the news from home.
That is where Nathan saw her. "Was she dipping her feet in the pond?"
Indeed, she was, and she was singing, he listened for a while, that is something else to add to the list he thought, a voice like an angel.
He was debating what to do, speak or just leave her there, she seemed to be in a world of her own, was it rude to interrupt? She turned, seeming to swat a fly or something and saw him.
"Nathan hello again, I hope you have had a good day?"
He dismounted and came closer. Bea noticed him looking at her feet.
"You caught me, I was reliving my youth, toe-dipping and catching dragonflies, what more could a girl want?"
He smiled that smiled, Bea felt herself blush.
"Bea, I have to say I have known you less than a day, we are little more than strangers but I have never met anyone quite like you before." He was laughing now. "I really haven't"
"Everyone says that one of a kind I am apparently" she was laughing now too.
He sat down beside her, could she hear his heart beating?
"Dad used to say I was one of a kind, that God broke the mould when he made me."
"Well from the little I have seen I think he was right."
Without even thinking she pushed him gently in jest, that touch felt like a bolt of lightning. They both felt it, neither said a word.
He then noticed the letters laid on the ground beside her. "News from home?"
"Yes, the first correspondence I have had in over 6 weeks, just village gossip, and more does and don't from Uncle Charles, but great to hear from them both. It has lifted my spirits; I have been feeling a bit homesick these last couple of days. I have even toyed with the idea today of heading back early. But I will see."
He had actually stopped hearing at that point, the effect those words had on him, his heart actually sank, he felt sick.
"Nathan, she laughed, cooeeee, you were miles away there."
"Sorry, he pretended to laugh, is there anything I can do, we can do, to make that feeling go away?"
"I dare say it will pass, there is one thing Nathan I would like to ask, before I leave would you ride with me up into the mountains? I know what dangerous places they can be; I won't have time to get to know them properly myself, so I wouldn't even attempt them on my own, I would love to climb as high as possible."
Just the thought of spending an entire day with her, showing her all the secret places he had discovered filled him with such excitement.
"That I can do Bea, we could make a day of it, even an overnight one if you would like. There are a few cabins dotted about up there, we could stay in one of those. Suddenly he realised how bad that could have sounded, "Bea that came out the wrong way, I am so sorry, I didn't mean."
She touched his arm and smiled "I know you didn't, and I think it is a wonderful idea, I will look forward to it, whenever you have time, and thank you."
He noticed her shiver, reached for her jacket, and held it for her, "Come on Miss Toe Dipper think it's time we headed back."
She slipped her shoes back on and tucked the letters in her pocket, Nathan offered her a hand up but as she went to stand her leg gave way, he caught her so quick. The pain ran through her, she could feel the colour drain from her face. "Not now, not now, don't let me faint please..."
Nathan could see the pain in her face, it had turned white. He held her until the colour started to come back.
"Bea, are you OK now? I thought you were going to pass out on me there, that was the same leg you told me about this morning, what on earth happened to you."
She felt so safe as he held her, she just couldn't explain it, just safe.
Looking him straight in the eye she asked "Nathan have you ever lived through something that was so traumatic, so bad, that you just can't bring yourself to tell anyone about it. Not because you don't want to tell them as such, but because telling the story is like reliving the whole thing again, the pain, the fear, the nightmare?"
"I have, but judging by the pain I have just seen you suffer I think my experience would be pitiful compared with yours."
"That isn't true Nathan. If yours caused you pain and suffering so bad you can't relive it then it is no different to mine." This, she rubbed her hand up her leg, is one of those memories I can't relive, maybe one day."
What was it about this woman, she truly was the most unique, beautiful soul he had ever met?
"Are you OK now? Let's get you back, come on Newton here can carry us both."
He gave her a leg up again being so careful, she shuffled back, he got up in front.
They both nudged Newton on at the same time "Oh sorry force of habit" she laughed, he just smiled and shook his head.
He pulled up in front of the saloon and helped her down.
"Do you need anything, are you sure there is nothing I can do?"
"I will be fine honestly, it's all part of the healing process they say. I am just glad you were there to catch me."
"So am I. You rest now will you please?"
"I will, maybe I can drop by the jail tomorrow afternoon when you get back, I can get this scheme sorted with you, oh did you get my message?"
"I did, and I have to ask you, please never leave that livery without leaving me another."
"I promise, Night Night God Bless Nathan and thank you again."
He turned to walk away then turned back again quickly "Bea I wondered, please say no if you don't want to, would you like to come out to dinner with me tomorrow night, you can choose where?"
"Nathan I would love to; we can sort out where tomorrow" her smile melted his heart.
"We can, so is that a date?"
"Yes, Constable Grant, that is indeed a date."
To say she floated up the stairs was the only way to describe the feeling she had.