CHAPTER 24

The four friends had spent three hours talking, laughing, and eating, Nathan had cooked the fish to perfection. The only reason they reluctantly said goodnight was Nathan had Bea to walk back and he wanted to try and get an early start tomorrow.

" I had a thought earlier when you were talking about your uncle Bea. I would like to write to him if I may, as you yourself explained earlier he is your guardian really, if he was here or we were In England I feel sure he would have vetted me by now."

Bea laughed, "Without a doubt, you would pass with flying colours."

"I hope so, I could tell him a little about my life, introduce myself, tell him how much you mean to me, and reassure him that I will look after you, protect and cherish you as everyone over there appears to. Not just now but for the rest of my days."

"I know he would appreciate that, it is such a selfless thing to do, only if you really want to though."

"I really feel I need to tell him, I know if something similar happened to Allie it would help me, and I do and will you know that?"

"I do and he will too."

"If I write it when I go back maybe you could post it for me tomorrow with yours. I hope it will give him some peace of mind. If I don't see you before I head out in the morning I will leave it on my desk if that is OK?"

"Yes of course. Are you heading out really early?"

"That is the plan, I want a good look around up there, see what I can find if anything, maybe catch a few of the other newcomers and see if they know anything."

"Please be careful."

"Don't you worry about me" he kissed her hand.

"You know I always will" she laid her head on his shoulder.

"I guess we both will" he replied and kissed the top of her head.

Having kissed her goodnight, which was getting harder every time he had to do it, he headed home. Smiling to himself he recalled the day, stored the memories as she said, she made him laugh so much and it felt so good. He couldn't recall ever laughing like he had today, it felt as if he had found a piece of himself that had been missing. That was it he thought, Bea is my missing piece, she makes me whole, complete. He realised then and there that even if he searched the whole world over he would never find anyone who came close to her.

He had written the letter and was surprised at how easy the words came, he had written from his heart maybe that was why.

The letter was on his desk when Bea called in, he obviously had got off early.

Having written the address on the envelope she took her letter and wrote on the back "Read this one first."

Ned was very curious when he saw two letters with the same address and then the note on the back. "

"I wrote a long letter and then remembered something this morning, so rather than waste paper and envelopes I just wrote another, he will think it funny. While I am here Ned I wonder if you have writing paper and envelopes? I am about out."

"We do Bea, they are right down the back on the left, I can show you."

"That's fine, sure I will find them, you have other customers waiting."

As she was looking she could hear Ned talking to someone who left as she returned to the counter. "Goodbye Elizabeth" she heard Ned say.

"Forgive me Ned but was that Mrs. Thornton? I have been here a few weeks now and never ever seen her."

"It is yes, apparently she is back now until the school finishes for summer, this weekend."

"Now are you sure that is all I can get you for today?"

"Yes thank you Ned, how much do I owe you, I am getting quite good with all these nickels and dimes now".

He laughed, what a breath of fresh air this young woman was.

Why seeing Elizabeth worried Bea so much she couldn't fathom, she knew it wouldn't be the last time she saw her.

She had arranged to call in at the office and see Rosemary to discuss the article about the "checkout scheme" and how plans for the Midsummer event were going,"

They covered both in no time at all. Last night the three of them had questioned Bea about her life back in England, Rosemary already had the simple facts and a couple of examples, the article should write itself.

The Midsummer plans were almost sorted, everyone was eager to help, it was something different and exciting.

"Lee and some of the men are going to build the bonfire on Saturday morning, he says it is a great idea as they have a lot of scrap timber to get rid of anyway. They will do the maypole at the same time, a few of the ladies are going to attach the ribbons before they actually erect it, that makes it easier."

"I have been thinking about that Rosemary. With the ground being tinder dry the bonfire will have to be watched until every ember has died, we don't want any sparks starting wildfires. Rather than have someone stay up all night to watch it, maybe it should be lit early. Everyone can start the evening there then walk down in procession to the saloon for buffet and dancing.

"That would make sense, and also much better for those with children, we will do it that way,"

"I will volunteer to watch it, I don't mind at all."

"Bea no, you must come to the dance, every man in Hope Valley will want to dance with you. Mind they will have to get past Nathan first" she was laughing.

"If the fire burns quickly I will make the last hour or so, that will do me, Rosemary, honestly."

"Well if you are sure, let me know if you have a change of heart. Bea forgive me for asking but is something wrong, you have that look."

"Well, I was fine until about an hour ago, as I was going to pay Ned for my purchases a woman was leaving the store. It was Elizabeth Thornton."

"Well that does answer a question, I thought I heard movement in the house this morning, it wasn't my imagination. Does she worry you?"

"Not in the sense you are thinking of Rosemary, I just have a feeling her and I are not going to see eye to eye, and that for me is very rare. Hey ho, what will be will be. Now I am going to drop this lot off and head off for a ride."

"Who knows you may just happen upon a rather handsome man in red serge."

"You never know my luck."

"I will let you read the article before I set it."

"Sure it will be a good one Rosemary, see you later."

So Elizabeth is back. I wondered what has happened there. As far as we all knew she wouldn't return until the new school term started in September, they still have a week until they break up for summer, something didn't sit right there.