CHAPTER 31

Sunday had started as a good day. Bea had arrived at church a little before Nathan, she had noticed Elizabeth going in as she approached. Her intention had been to tell him about their conversation, if you could call it that, after church but felt she must say something now so he wasn't caught off guard. The details could be filled in later.

He was here now, she could see him coming down the road with Lee and Rosemary.

"Sorry I waylaid him I'm afraid Bea, needed a hand lifting something. I am going to borrow him after church too, just for half an hour. If that is OK?"

"We can have a natter and a cup of tea while they do man stuff," said Rosemary.

Bea held Nathan back as Lee and Rosemary started up the steps.

"Are you two not coming in?"

"Yes, two seconds I just need to have a word with Nathan first."

Nathan looked at her with curiosity, "OK what is so important it couldn't wait" he grinned

"Elizabeth is in there, she had words with me while you were away. I will fill you in on what was said after church but I was told, not asked told, to tell you she needs to speak to you. I said I would let you know she had been looking for you. I thought you should know in case she says anything."

What could she possibly want he thought. His vibrant mood of early this morning had suddenly disappeared.

Taking Bea's hand they walked into church and sat at the back, he always sat there, he actually felt ill when he saw her, she was sitting where Lee and Rosemary always sat, at the front.

Joseph's sermon as always was very uplifting. He referred to the great day everyone had yesterday, of joy, love, of belonging, and thanked everyone involved.

Nathan hadn't been paying much attention, his thoughts were elsewhere "What could she want with him now."

They were the first to leave having thanked Joseph, as they started to walk towards home Elizabeth called to him " Nathan, Nathan have you a minute or two I need to talk to you."

He looked at Bea, "Go and see what she wants, the sooner you do the sooner you will know. I will walk back with Rosemary and Lee and meet you at home. She squeezed his hand "Remember you are not alone now, you have me." Smiling she kissed him again. His mind was elsewhere, she knew. A strange feeling passed over her, she didn't like the feel of this at all.

Rosemary linked her arm as they walked past, "Come on you tea is needed I think."

It wasn't long before there was a knock at the door and it opened

"Just me " he called.

"Do you want a cup of something, there is tea in the pot and coffee on the stove."

"No, thanks Rosemary I am fine, I will give Lee a hand to do that bookcase, and then we can leave you in peace."

He hadn't spoken to Bea, she didn't like the feel of this, no not one bit.

Rosemary had sensed something too and shot Bea a worried glance, Bea just shrugged.

The two men were done within ten minutes. "Thanks for that Nathan, I would never have managed on my own."

"No problem Lee, just returning favours, now I will get home and change. You ready Bea?"

When they were in the house the feeling she had grew worse, "Are you alright?" Bea asked, she was worried.

"Yes, or I will be. I thought I was ready for whatever she wanted to say. I was wrong.

"Do you want to tell me what she said, I understand if you don't?"

"That she had made a mistake, she knows that now. Lucas and she are no longer together and she would like us to start over."

Bea sensed this wasn't going to end well, " What did you say to her?"

"Well to be honest I was a bit lost for words, I didn't actually answer her, I was totally taken aback when she told me about your conversation the other day. Why did you accost her in the street?"

"Sorry," said Bea, "Why did I what?"

"Confront her in the street and warn her to stay away from me?"

"Nathan, do you actually think I would do that?"

"I have to admit I was a bit shocked, you once asked me to tell you if ever you upset me, let you down, well today I am disappointed, why would she say you did if you didn't?"

Bea was so close to tears, was she hearing this right. What was going on here, this wasn't the Nathan she knew.

She did remember saying that to him but disappointed? Why ? " she could feel herself starting to boil, and she knew if she blew. Jokingly she had told him once, when he had said he could never picture her angry if ever she did to stand well back, and she was getting really close here. Walk away her inner voice said, walk away.

"I didn't think you would be capable of doing such a thing."

"Well you were right, not that I incapable because I could, I just wouldn't lower myself to do it, and Nathan if you chose to believe her, chose to believe I would act like that then let me tell you, today you have disappointed me."

She turned to leave

"Where are you going?"

"I have no idea, but I think you need some time and space to think Nathan, in fact maybe I do too."

He watched her leave, shocked that she had.

Once outside Bea ran, tears flowing she just ran. Never in her life had she felt so hurt, anyone who knew her would know she would never do such a thing, "accost" someone, for Nathan to ever think such a thing cut to the heart.

She had never run away from anything in her life and trying to make her way in the world she wanted she had all sorts thrown at her, she always confronted them head-on that is how Dad and Uncle Harry had taught her. She had promised never to run, to leave, and yet here she was running from the man she was prepared to give everything up for, the man she saw herself with forever.

Having found herself at the livery, she quickly saddled Hero. A plan or her next step was already there. She wiped her face and quickly flicked some cold water on it. She tied Hero up outside the saloon and ran up the stairs. Throwing some bits into her saddlebags she picked up a jacket and her purse.

Clara wasn't about but Jesse was behind the bar. "Looking a bit flushed there Bea, can I get you anything?"

"Well, I wanted to pay my bill up to date if I can Jesse, and would you add 2 weeks more for my room."

"I can but there is no need to pay in advance you know that?"

"I do Jesse but I am going away for a while, if I am not back in the two weeks would you ask Clara if she would kindly pack everything into my suitcases. Someone from The White Star Line will collect them for me."

Now Jesse wasn't the brightest when it came to women but even he knew this sounded bad.

"I will Bea but what has happened, your leaving and might not be back."

Her eyes filled up again, she just nodded.

Jesse told her how much she owed plus the two weeks, she paid and thanked him.

"Will you do me a big favour Jesse, thank everyone here in Hope Valley for making me so welcome, for taking me in as one of their own."

He was just dumbstruck, where was Clara when he needed her.

Bea walked out, mounted Hero with great difficulty, and just took to the road.