CHAPTER 20

As she sat eating breakfast in the cafe, she was well aware of all the glances and smiles being aimed her way, that, as Nathan had predicted, they were indeed the topic of conversation this morning. Did she care? No, I don't was the reply. As Ethel had said to her so many times over the years, "well bonnie lass if they are talking about you, they are leaving someone else alone."

Thinking of Ethel triggered thoughts of home again, well more accurately of leaving here and returning home. She had lain last night making sure every single detail of the night was committed to memory. She didn't want to forget one thing. Did she really grab his hand, did she actually kiss him first? Where did the nerve to do that come from?

All the happy thoughts vanished, she would have to leave at some point and as she had told him the longer she remained the harder that would be. Taking things as they happened, seeing how they played out, was much easier than it sounded. Bea was rarely wrong, she knew that with every day that passed this connection, that was the only word she could think of to use at the moment, would grow stronger. At this present moment in time, it was the most remarkable, special feeling she had ever known. It would deepen, without any shadow of doubt Bea knew that.

Although she didn't know what had actually happened between Nathan and Elizabeth Thornton, she did know he had been that broken-hearted he left Hope Valley for a while. That he still didn't know if his future lay here. She also knew the pain it would cause her to leave here, if he truly felt the same way about her then the last thing she wanted was to heap more sadness on this remarkable man. What the hell was she supposed to do? How was it she saw solutions to other people's problems but not her own?

She was snapped out of her thoughts when Minnie spoke to her.

"Did you have a nice evening, Bea?"

"We did Minnie, we really did. I must say thank you again for such a tasty dinner."

"I am glad you enjoyed it; I do love to cook. Coming here to Hope Valley was the perfect move for our family."

"Have you not been here long Minnie?"

"Coming up a year soon, I can't see us living anywhere else now."

"I can understand that, I have only been here a couple of weeks and will find it very hard to leave."

"Forgive me if I sound forward Bea but is that leaving here or leaving a certain person here?"

Bea smiled, "Both Minnie but one more than the other. It troubles me, I was actually thinking about the whole situation as I sat here. My mind is in turmoil, I don't know what to do."

"You should speak to Joseph; he has a way of finding solutions to the toughest questions. He will be up at the church or should I say school today, why don't you call in, he would be only too happy to see you."

"Thank you Minnie I may just do that, I really would like a look inside anyway. Will he be there all day?"

"Yes, most of it, he is busy doing a few repairs, or so he says" she laughed.

"Then after I have been out with Hero I shall call in, thank you again."

"Bea you are welcome, every problem and question has an answer."

"Forgive me Minnie but experience and life have taught me differently, some questions just don't have answers."

Minnie watched her leave, "Joseph you were right, there is something very godly about this young lady."

Her eyes were drawn again to the chalkboard as she entered the livery, that would never change now, had he left a message this morning?

He had, "Thank you" was all it said, nothing more was needed.

The day was cooler, her intention was to explore a bit today, head off in a different direction, trouble was she didn't know what the roads and tracks were called. How could she tell him where she was going if she didn't know?

After a moment's thought she drew a little row of houses, the road past there forked so far up, she drew an arrow pointing to the right. He would get it, she thought. "Thank you too," she wrote.

As she left the main street she glanced over to the church, pulled Hero to a halt, lifted her face to the sky, and prayed silently "Whoever, whatever showed me this beacon, help me now, please. Show me the next step as I am lost."

She hoped that somewhere along this road she would find an open space, somewhere she could let Hero out to a full gallop, she needed to blow these thoughts away.

Nathan's day had started well, he too relived every detail of the previous night. He felt so blessed, how many people he wondered have someone so precious as Bea suddenly appear in their lives and change it so much. In less than 48 hours he now had such hope again, he had found his old self, he felt alive again. That was all down to this incredible woman, of that there was no doubt.

He couldn't wait to see her today, make sure she was alright, things had happened so quickly last night, he hoped he was reading everything right. He had got that so wrong last time, so wrong. He would have to be careful, guarded, the last thing he wanted was to scare Bea off, if she ran, that would break him and he couldn't face that. Thinking about it, it was she who had taken his hand, she had kissed him first, she had more nerve than he did that was for sure. From the moment she had walked down the stairs in the saloon he wanted nothing more. Could he block out the thought of her actually leaving? He was going to have to because even thinking about it the depression and pain started to roll in again. There must be a solution, there must be.

As he reached the old boundary of the town, he thought everything sounded very quiet. Of late the sounds of building and activity-filled the air, today it was silent. He rode over to the biggest building under construction and sure enough, there was no work going on at all, not a soul was in sight. He explored a bit more, nothing.

Wondering why he remounted and headed out into the area of the new land claims. There were about half a dozen claims now. Most were families, the others seemed to be single men, he hadn't actually spoken to them all as yet. He did try to catch them all as soon as he could, to make himself known. He was just about to turn for home when he caught sight of a man around his age he thought, maybe a year or so older.

"Morning Sir" he said, how are finding things?

"Good morning constable, so far so good. This is a grand area you cover, Colin Farley" he offered his hand to Nathan.

Nathan introduced himself, where he could be found, all that the town had to offer if he was in need of anything.

"I think I will be very happy here Constable. I am going to have to have a bit of a re-think though. I had hoped to get work at one of the new factories until I got established here. If they aren't going to open now, I will have to look for something else."

"Not going to open, what has happened there? I wondered why the building work had stopped."

"I am only going off what one of the other settlers told me this morning, so not sure if it's right, they are pulling out because money has dried up. Don't know what that actually means. Guess we will have to see what happens. "

"Well Mr Farley you could always have a word in town, Coulter Lumber are often looking for men, could be worth asking. Their offices are on the main street."

"Well Constable thank you for that, I shall take a look into town tomorrow and have a word."

"No problem Mr Farley I hope you get sorted. Good day to you."

What was going on here, a word with Bill and the town council may be needed, something was amiss.

It was early afternoon when he got back, the first thing he noticed was that Hero wasn't in his stall. He did wonder if she would head out today, secretly hoping he would have bumped into her on his way back. This board was a great idea he thought but why on earth has she gone that way. Exploring he thought. I wish I had the time to take her out, I wonder how long she has been gone. He would worry until she was back.

Jed was busy stacking bales as he left, "Jed you didn't happen to see Bea leave, did you?"

"I did Nathan, she has been gone a few hours now. Don't worry she will be back soon; she is a remarkable rider and seems to have such a connection with horses. These lot all get excited when she is about."

"I think it is all animals Jed, did you know she is a veterinarian?"

"I didn't, she isn't your average one is she? "he was laughing.

"Oh, definitely not, I don't think she is average anything if I am honest. I will keep an eye out for her, if she isn't back within the next couple of hours will you let me know?"

"I'll do that Nathan, don't be worrying."

I was right about being the topic of conversation today, he thought.

On getting back to the office he rang HQ, to see if anyone there had heard anything about the building work stopping, no one had but they would investigate. He wondered as businessmen if Henry or Lee had heard any whispers.

He found Lee in his office.

"Nathan, what brings you in here at this time of the day, nothing amiss I hope."

"Does everyone think I am the harbinger of doom?" he laughed.

Lee laughed along, "No, sure they don't, what can I do for you anyway?"

"I was up near the new buildings this morning and all work has stopped, no one about at all. I spoke to one of the new settlers, a Mr Farley, oh while I remember he may pay you a visit tomorrow, he is hoping to find work I told him you are always looking for men. He had been hoping to get work in one of these new factories but has heard building has stopped as whoever is actually financing the work has run out of money. Only hearsay but I wondered if you had heard any rumours?"

"Interesting but no not a word. That could cause problems if all these newcomers were banking on work there."

"Exactly Lee, I spoke to HQ and they are going to see if they can find anything out. Let me know if you do hear anything will you ?"

"Oh, I will, the last thing we need is trouble over there. I will see if I can find anything out."

"I am going to see if I can catch Henry, ask him if he has heard anything, mind if you haven't, I doubt he will have."

"He does have contacts in different areas so it's worth asking, let me know."

"I will keep you updated."

As he walked down the street to Henry's office, he had a look up towards the livery, still no sign, "God please keep her safe".

Henry was as surprised as Lee had been to hear all the work had stopped, but Nathan detected a bigger sense of worry for some reason. He too said he would make enquiries, see if he could find anything out and would let Nathan know.

Bill was in his office, so the story was retold again. "We may have big problems there Nathan if new settlers come thinking there is work only to find none."

"That is one of my main concerns Bill, there is enough unrest at the moment as it is. The sooner we can find out what is going on the better. HQ are going to investigate, Lee and Henry are asking around, not sure there is much else we can do until we find something out."

"You are right, the sooner we can find out the better. Keep me in the loop, will you?"

"Will do."

Just as he was going out the door Bill spoke.

"Sorry Bill, I was miles away there, what did you say?"

"I asked if you had a good night last night, you do know you and Bea are the talk of the town today, mind I am not surprised."

Nathan's face lit up just at the memory of last night "Why does it not surprise you? Mind I had a feeling we might be."

"Come on Nathan, the pair of you make one hell of a couple, anyone can see she thinks the world of you."

"You reckon?" he was grinning.

"I don't think, everyone here can see it and you are one lucky man."

"So, you said last night, and I do, after everything that happened last year, I feel very blessed. Speaking of a certain lady I must check if she is back yet, she has gone exploring on her own."

"I am sure she will be fine; she is a very capable woman that much I have gleaned in the short time I have known her."

"That she is amongst other things. Speaking of which, are we OK to call into the town council meeting next week, explain this scheme?"

"Yes, I think it's a great idea, it will be interesting to see how it works."

"I will let her know, now I must get on, catch you later."

What a change Bill thought, this is the Nathan he had hoped would emerge, and he had Bea to thank for that, no doubt about that. What the hell would happen when she had to leave?"