CHAPTER 19

Bea stood looking in the wardrobe, what to wear? She had travelled fairly light for someone going away for so long. She had a couple of stunning dresses that she had bought for the trip but they were way too fancy for tonight. Then she had the lovely summer ones she had made in Newcastle; she pulled the blue one out and the grey one. They were her colours, blue she thought holding it up. It was one she had designed herself; it had a V-neck and elbow-length sleeves. It was fitted under the bust then just fell away, it was pastel blue, yes, this one would be perfect. Now, what do I do with this hair?

She very rarely let her hair down, most days it would be in a braid or loose bun. It caused enough starring then when it was lose it definitely drew lots of attention. She was used to it but sometimes it would get a bit too much. It was the colour it was, every shade of grey you could imagine, stunning was the general census of opinion, but a pain if you lived with it every day as she had since late teenage years. It really could do with a couple of inches cutting off it, she might see about getting that done, it was halfway down her back. She stood pulling it this way and that and finally decided down with sides taken back, she had the lovely new blue ribbon she had bought in Union City, that was a perfect match.

All ready she looked in the mirror, not bad for a vet used to being up to her ankles in cow muck she thought. I hope he likes it; I really want to see him smile that smile again, he deserves to be happy. Bea had sensed his sadness that first day but it was much better now, had that anything to do with her? She did wonder.

She didn't think she would need a shawl, it was still so hot, but better to be prepared. Locking the door, she heard Nathan talking to Bill; he must have been early. Her insides were quivering, "get a grip" she said to herself, "you are 32, not 12."

Nathan couldn't help it, he kept watching for her, when he did see her, he felt sure his jaw must have hit the floor. What an incredible sight she was, it was Bill nudging him that brought him back to his senses.

"You are one very lucky man there Nathan, that is pure beauty."

"I know Bill, isn't it just."

He went to meet her at the bottom of the stairs, "Bea all I can say is you look incredible."

"Thank you, I do brush up well if I say so myself, mind so do you, we must have both been feeling the blue tonight."

His shirt was almost the same colour as her dress.

"I haven't kept you waiting, have I?"

"No, I was actually early, I couldn't wait any longer."

There it was, there was that smile, how she loved that.

"Do you mind if I finish the drink Bill bought me, Dutch courage it was,"

"That bad?"

"Bea, I feel like a silly schoolboy," he laughed.

"Well then we are perfectly matched, this schoolgirl doesn't mind waiting at all."

"Bill, Good Evening."

"Evening Bea, can I just say, in case this dumb stuck Mountie hasn't that you look truly stunning."

"Thank you Bill, he did say so though."

Nathan finished his drink and they said their Goodbyes, as they headed out of the saloon everyone must have watched them. Carla was watching, as was Bill, "that is one a very special couple, don't you think Bill?"

"I do indeed, I just hope it doesn't all end in heartbreak again."

Bea was well aware of passers-by looking at them, it was Nathan who commented though.

"I think we may be the subject of the town gossip tomorrow Bea, not that I mind, you don't do you?"

"Not in the slightest, I am used to it, tell you what, let's give them something to really talk about."

She smiled at him and slipped her hand into his. He looked straight into her eyes and grinned. "Let's do that. "He squeezed her hand so softly.

What passed between them with that contact couldn't be described, they both felt it.

The cafe wasn't too busy, Nathan had asked Minnie to keep a table for them anyway. She came with a menu and said she would be back in a couple of minutes.

"What can we tempt you with?" he asked.

"I think I will go for the pot roast, it reminds me of Sunday dinner at home. Yes, pot roast if I may?"

"You can have whatever you want Bea, I think I may have the same actually."

"Don't be offended if I don't eat it all though, I need to leave room for pudding."

"Sweet tooth, is it?"

"Yes, I like my puds."

They were laughing again.

Minnie took their order and was back within 5 minutes with their meals. Bea seemed to pause before she started to eat, "anything wrong Bea?"

"Oh no Nathan, sorry I was just saying thank you. I have done that since I was a child."

"Now I feel bad,"

"Don't, it's just one of those things I do. Sure, you will discover others. You know Nathan when I was laid in bed last night, I was thinking how strange it is. I honestly feel like we have known each other for years and yet it is just over 24 hours. I feel I know you but don't know a thing about you really."

"I had exactly the same thought. What is even stranger, well on my part is that I am normally not a talker, ask anyone they call me the "quiet man" but I could talk to you for hours."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"Yes, Bea it is, and I could listen to you for even longer."

"You may just regret saying that."

"Never," he said.

She knew he meant that, and she would talk all day if he wanted her to if it meant they could spend more time like this, unlock whatever he was trying so hard to hide away from the world.

"I know she said, quick-fire questions, ask me some things you want to know about me and I will do the same, I will go first."

"Have you any siblings?"

"I did have but unfortunately she passed away a few years ago. I adopted her daughter Allie, who is 14. Until October last year, she was here with me in Hope Valley but is now living with my Mum, they are actually coming to stay for a couple of weeks at the end of the month. I would love for you to meet them; they will love you. I know they will."

"That will be a precious time, you must be looking forward to it."

"I really am, I have a week off while they are here so hopefully will be able to get out and do things together. What about you and your family?

"I have no true family at all, I am the end of the Gregory line. I have people who care for me like family but no, I am it."

"Bea, I seem to ask all the wrong questions, I am sorry."

She smiled at him "There are no wrong questions Nathan, there are many that can't be answered, that just don't have answers but there is never a wrong question."

"That is very true, come on then ask me another?"

"OK, how long have you been a Mountie?"

"Coming up 14 years now I guess."

"Did you dream of being one when you were growing up?"

"No," he laughed. "My dream was to work on a cattle ranch, maybe have my own one day."

"You would make a good cowboy" she laughed

"You reckon?"

"I do indeed, I can see you know."

"OK then, did you always want to be a vet?"

"Yes, from as early as I can remember. There were times I doubted I would be able but here I am."

"That is amazing you know Bea?"

"So, people tell me, it is my calling, well that is what I believe anyway, I can't wait until I can start practicing again. The local vet back home is retiring soon and all being well I will take over his practice."

At the thought of her going home, his heart really sank again.

By now they had finished dinner and had ordered dessert. Blueberry pie they had both chosen. They both ate slow, neither wanting the night to end yet, it was Bea who said

"Nathan it is still light out and warm, will you walk with me down to the lake, it will be a fantastic night to just stargaze?"

There was that smile yet again, "I would love that Bea, I am not ready to say goodnight yet."

Having paid the bill, they both popped their heads into the kitchen to thank Minnie, Joseph had come to help her clear away and lock up. He watched as they left, "Minnie I really need to speak with Bea, there is something very godly about her."

"Godly Joseph?"

"Yes, that is the only word I can think of. Something very wise."

"She was asking me about the church the other day, when was it open, could anyone drop-in, what time was Sunday service, so she may call in."

"Well, I look forward to that Minnie."

As Bea and Nathan walked down the road and headed to go out over the meadow, he took hold of her hand again "Is this ..."

"Yes Nathan," she squeezed it and interlocked her fingers in his, "this is perfect."

They talked more as they walked. When they reached the little jetty by the lake, he turned to her and dropped her hand. "Shall we sit, there is something I really want to ask you, I need to know but am not sure I want to know the answer?"

She smiled knowingly, "Nathan one of the reasons people call me one of a kind is that I tend to know things others don't, that I sense things others don't, so the answer to your question is mid-September at the latest. I am booked on the RMS Celtic's last sailing at the beginning of October. I can go earlier if I want to but that is when I have to be back in New York."

"Will you stay here until then, or leave before to visit other places?"

Looking into those beautiful blue eyes she could see right into his soul, "Honestly Nathan I don't know, I feel the longer I stay the harder it will be for me to leave. I have already been looking into different routes back."

"Already Bea, but."

"I know, just last night I thought to myself, just play it by ear, see how you feel. Tonight, sitting here with you, I know that isn't going to be that easy. I really don't know what this is between us, I have never known anything like it, I doubt I will again. It grows stronger by the hour, the last thing I want is it to break either of us. Well now I am guessing you feel it too, if not forgive me"

He took hold of both her hands "Believe me, Bea, when I say I do feel it too, and I understand what you are saying but please can we do just as you said and play it by ear at least for a couple of weeks. Can we just enjoy nights like this?"

She couldn't say no, she wanted it too. Smiling she said "On one condition, if it becomes too much, if either of us feels we can't cope with what will be then we say, we tell each other. We must always be truthful."

"I promise, but you must do the same."

"I will Nathan, I will."

"If we are going to be totally truthful with each other then all I want to do at this minute in time is to wrap my arms around you and hold you close."

She shuffled over and rested her head on his shoulder, his arm went around her and he pulled her in close.

Was this heaven on earth? They sat for over an hour talking about this and that, he felt her shiver.

"Come as much as I don't want this night to end, I think we need to head back. He stood up and remembering the last time he tried to help her and she collapsed he took hold of both her hands, "Gently please "he said. "Yes Sir ", there was the head shake again.

Taking her shawl he wrapped it around her shoulders, he went to lift her hair to pull it out, "This truly is your crowning glory Bea, whoever said that was right. It is like a dappled horse's mane, so special, but then you are that anyway."

"Flattery will get you a long way."

"Will it indeed?"

"It will but only if you catch me first, " she started to run but he caught her in no time, and grabbed her by the waist, she turned and stood facing him.

Nathan, I want to tell you something. No, I need to tell you. After my accident I finally accepted the advice I was given years ago. "No one is guaranteed a tomorrow, live for today, make memories, don't have regrets. Sometimes you just have to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens. "I hope I am right here"

She leaned in and kissed him so gently.

"Bea you were so right,"

He kissed her back now, he cupped his hands around her face and this time he kissed her with more passion.

"Bea, please give us more time. Don't run away from me."

"Nathan, I'm not sure I could, at this moment in time I don't want to be any other place than right here."

He kissed her forehead, "Come on let me get you back."

Taking her hand, they headed back so at ease in each other's company.

As they came to the edge of the town he stopped and turned to look at her again, before we get in there, can I do this again?"

Pulling her close they kissed again.

She laid her face on his chest, "Thank you for tonight Nathan, whatever happens, I will never ever forget it, tonight we made a memory I will cherish forever."

He had a lump in his throat, could this amazing woman make his body sing any more than it already did.

He walked her back to the saloon, he really didn't want to leave her, for the night to end.

Night Night God Bless Nathan.

Night Night Bea.