CHAPTER 22

Nathan hadn't been able to settle, would he ever not worry about her. He decided to walk up to the livery again. As he passed the saloon Jesse was just coming out,

"You lost something Nathan, or someone?" he grinned.

"Well, not lost, misplaced maybe,"

"I saw her about half an hour ago so she is OK, heading for the school."

"Thanks, Jesse, that is a relieve, are you going to the card game tonight?"

"I will have to ask Carla first, these women..."

Nathan just smiled, "May see you later."

As he walked over to the schoolhouse he wondered if he would ever have to ask Bea's permission to do anything, somehow, he didn't think he ever would.

There she was, what the … she nearly knocked him off his feet as she threw herself in his arms

"Hold me Nathan and don't ever let me go."

This woman, he held her then swung her round smiling.

"Bea I won't, what's wrong? You have been crying."

"I have but I promise just happy tears."

"You sure, you would tell me if something has happened, or is wrong?"

"We promised to always be truthful with each other, I always will be."

They turned and headed back into town.

"I do need to tell you something Nathan, have you got ten minutes?"

"For you, always," he was smiling that smile.

She playfully hit his arm.

"Nathan last night was, and always will be, the most magical night of my life. How I can have known someone for such a short time and yet feel the connection I feel. I think you feel it too, if you didn't then there wouldn't be one would there?"

"Whatever this is Bea, I do feel it too and you know better than wonder."

"Last night we said we would just take things as they came,"

"We did,"

Well, I hardly slept because in theory that is a wonderful idea, but that date, mid-September was hanging around my neck like a millstone, whatever we did it would be there in the background. It would be like an added pressure, whatever we did, whatever happened it would be there. I also know that the longer I stay the harder it will be to leave, for both of us. The easiest thing would be for me to go now, to cut and run. To have the memories of the last few days to treasure forever."

"You think that would be easy?"

"No, I don't but it would be easier than having weeks' worth. I couldn't do it though, I just can't walk away, that makes me wonder if I am being selfish, inflicting even more pain on us."

"I see so clearly things that will happen, solutions to other people's problems but not this one, not ours."

"Bea, you have me worried now, you aren't going to go earlier, are you?"

She saw the sadness sweep over his face, and through those beautiful eyes straight into his soul.

"Nathan no, please let me finish." She stood in front of him and took hold of his hands

"I tried all day to find the answer, I was so deep in thought, my mind in a turmoil. That is why I was out so long. I was still as worried, if not more when I got back. Minnie had told me Joseph was going to be working in the church all day. I thought if it was still open then maybe in there someone would hear my prayers.

We talked for ten minutes or so, he is a wonderful man, isn't he? He suggested we maybe pray together, two heads are better than one, so we did".

As we came out there you were coming across the field. "Joseph laughed and said he didn't know what I had prayed for but the answer to his prayer was coming this way, that you were my way Nathan."

He smiled, "So I am the answer to your prayers?"

"Nathan you are and always will be, and Joseph was right, as long as you want me."

"As long as I want you, Bea, I can't see me ever not wanting you."

"Then that is OK, isn't it?"

He didn't answer, just cupped her face and kissed her.

"Nathan wait there's more, as I saw you, I realised something, my prayer was answered too, I got rid of the millstone."

"How, please tell me then maybe I can rid myself of mine?"

"Well, I am booked on that last sailing but Nathan I don't have to go, I don't have to be on that ship, I don't need to go back at all. There is nothing stopping me from staying here, well if you want me to."

She was crying again, through the tears she said, "Nathan we can still take things as they happen, step by step."

"Bea say that again."

"What? Step by step?"

Now his eyes filled up. He picked her up and swung her around again.

"Then Miss Gregory, I think you may have just become Hope Valley's latest resident because I am not going to let you go back now."

They walked into town hand in hand and neither gave a care if anyone saw them.

…...

"I haven't asked you what kind of day you had?"

"Bit of a curious one actually." He told her about his discovery, the building work stopping.

"Who is actually doing, or was doing the building work?"

"That is another mystery we have not been able to find out."

"Even stranger, do you even know what kind of factory it was?"

"No. Something just isn't right, I know it. HQ is going to have a dig about, see if they can discover anything, Lee and Henry are going to ask around too."

"I knew there was something else I wanted to tell you, I spoke to Bill and it's fine for us to drop in at the next town council meeting."

"That's good news too then, I told Joseph a story today that will be a perfect one to tell them."

"With a bit of luck, we will have it all in place in a week or so."

"We will, see a great team." She winked, knowing it would make him laugh.

"I think you need to mention that twitch to Faith.

She laid her head on his shoulder, "only you see that."

"Now you go and lock up, I need to sit and write home, let them know there may be a change in my plans."

"Tell them from me Bea, that they need never worry, I will take care of you, I promise them that."

"I will, and they trust my judgment, they will know I have found the best, and I have."

"Will you be down in the bar later?

"It's cards night for the men tonight, I promised to go,"

"I have a feeling I will be asleep in no time; you go and enjoy; I will see you tomorrow."

She turned to go in the doors and he pulled her back, "Bea as everyone is already talking about us," he kissed her so gently, so tenderly.

"Well in that case," she kissed him back.

"Have fun, see you tomorrow, oh forgot to say I am going to go to church in the morning and remember I am going nowhere."

"Bea, shall we go to church together?"

"Then we can both count our blessings, I could meet you there?"

"Then I will see you in the morning."

He hadn't said anything but his prayers had been answered that day too, she didn't have to go, she would stay, he needed to offer thanks to whoever for bringing her here and now showing them a way, she didn't have to leave. He would be eternally grateful for that.