CHAPTER 36

Nathan and Allie had been out riding most of the day, they had taken a little picnic and were in no rush to get back. He was glad to have a few days without the pressure of work. The goings-on up at the factory site, or lack of goings-on, was a worry. Just this last week 2 more families had arrived having staked their claims for land in the area. He had been told similar stories by both, they had chosen to come here as there had been mention of work, they understood new industry was coming to the area that would provide security. Having arrived only to find all building work stopped they were now both annoyed and fearful for their future. He worried what this combined anger would lead to. Hopefully, they would get a breakthrough soon, someone must know something.

They had talked about this and that but Nathan wanted to ask her about their future, what she would like or want.

"Kiddo, I need to ask you something. Are you happy staying with Grandma or would you like to come back here? I have been thinking about our future and to make a decision I would like to know how you feel about things."

"I have enjoyed being back Uncle Nathan, I do miss you you know."

She always could melt his heart. "I miss you too, you know that I hope."

"I do but I love living with Grandma, we do have fun and she has so many stories. School too, I learned a lot here but my new school is so much better. I am really looking forward to summer school, bet you never thought you would hear me say that?"

He didn't. While she had always been a good student, he had never had to force her to do homework or such, holidays were for fun, and no way would she have gone to summer school here. So something must have sparked this new interest in learning.

"The thing is Allie I am a little uncertain where my future lies. When I came back here a few weeks ago my plan had been to give myself a couple of months, see how I felt about the place after everything that happened. If I was uncomfortable then I would have applied for a transfer and we could have both started somewhere new. A couple of days after I met Bea and I thought my future was settled. This would be where I stayed. Now once again I am not so sure. If you and Grandma are fine and she agrees then I think the best idea is for you to stay with her until I know. You are settled there, the last thing I want to do is bring you back here only to move again in a few months. Have a think about it, this next year is going to be your last in school, you will need to start to think about your future too."

"I don't really need to think Uncle Nathan, I already have. I would like to stay with Grandma until I finish school if I can. Then I would really like to carry on learning and go to college if that would be possible. I understand if it isn't."

His little lady was sure growing up fast. He would have to look into the cost of colleges, but he would find the money somehow, if that is what she wanted to do then he would not stand in her way.

"Well then, we will talk to Grandma if that is OK with her then at least we have a plan

for you. Whatever I decide to do, stay or go, won't have an effect on your immediate future. You happy with that ?"

"I am but Uncle Nathan I want to see you settled too, I hope you and Bea can work things out. I so want to meet her, mind if you decide to move to England I am coming too" she was laughing now.

"I will bear that in mind," he said. "Now come here and give me one of those magic hugs of yours, I could use one right now."

Grandma had agreed, of course, it was the best plan, she was actually quite relieved, having her granddaughter around had given her a new lease of life.

Allie had been to see Robert and was now going to spend the night at Opal's.

It was a beautiful evening, Nathan wondered if Mum would like to go for a little walk, they used to do that when he was younger. He now realised that it was an excuse to get out of the house if his Dad was in one of his "moods", still, they were times he remembered fondly.

"Like the old days?" she said. "Yes Mum like the old days, the difference is that now I am the one with worries, not you."

They decided to stroll into town, have one drink at the saloon then head back. Walking along she felt so proud of the man her little boy had become, he hadn't had it easy growing up, when Colleen had passed he took Allie on without any question not many single men would have done that, and here he was now, so respected, so valued and loved by this whole town. Then a wave of sadness passed over her, his whole life he had given to others, without question, he deserved to be happy, to have love in his life, joy, and yet again it seemed to have slipped through his fingers. Surely if there was a God he would see that, he would balance the scales.

The saloon was quite busy, everyone seemed to be of a similar mind, enjoying the evening. Rosemary saw them come in and beckoned them over, "Come sit with us, Lee get Nathan and Mrs. Grant a drink."

"That's OK Lee, would either of you like another?"

"I wouldn't mind another beer Nathan, here I will come with you."

"So have you enjoyed your time here Mrs. Grant? I saw Allie and she seems to have fun."

"I have, it has been so good to spend time with Nathan and meet everyone, nice to put faces to names. One exception there of course, Rosemary, while the men are at the bar, forgive me. I know we don't know each other very well but I do need to ask someone, Bea is she as special as Nathan seems to think. Woman to woman, I am worried about him."

Rosemary put her hand on Mrs. Grant's arm tenderly, " Everyone here in Hope Valley is worried about him Mrs. Grant, about them both. You only have to see them together, you see and feel the special bond. I have never seen anything like it before. After the events of last year, seeing how broken Nathan was, Bea seemed to bring him back to life, you should hear them laughing together, what a joy. She really is the most remarkable woman I have ever met, in every sense and together they are like one. We are all praying she comes back or Nathan finds her. If ever two people were meant to be together then it is these two."

The men were coming back now, she squeezed Mrs. Grant's arm.

"Thank you Rosemary and know my prayers are joining all of yours too."

The four of them walked home together, Rosemary and Mrs. Grant linking arms chatting as they went. When they reached home they gave each other a knowing look. Tonight as every night since the night she had gone the prayers of Hope Valley were heard, tonight yet another voice was added to this united prayer. Bea and Nathan had already been in her own prayers but tonight was different, tonight the power of prayer was truly felt.