CHAPTER 38
He and Newton pushed on really hard. He knew this track and with luck he would be able to check a couple of cabins before dusk. Around 4 he thought it would be when they reached the first one, his hopes were dashed as there were no signs of life, no one looked to have been here in a while. He would head for the next one, if she wasn't there then he would stay overnight and head on tomorrow.
Now he had a quandary, the track here forked, left or right. He knew there were cabins higher up no matter which he chose. He dropped the reins, "OK big lad this one is your call, you have missed her as much as I have, can you sense where she is? Kicking him on Newton turned to the right. "OK right it is, let's see shall we."
The cabin was just over an hour's ride along this track, he had only been this way once but from what he remembered it was in a beautiful spot. Newton seemed to become more and more eager the closer they got. If he remembered right the cabin was just beyond this treeline, sheltered in a little pasture. He dismounted and led Newton through, his heart leapt, he breathed the biggest sigh of relief, it wasn't her but it was Hero happily chewing away on the grass. Looking to the heavens he said "Thank you, thank you,"
He staked Newton alongside Hero, even those two were glad to see each other. He walked over to the cabin, outside there was a fire going, something was cooking over it, it smelt really good whatever it was. He poked his head in the door, everything looked so perfect, a little home away from home. She couldn't be far. He crossed over the meadow and down in the dip where the stream ran and he saw her, his knees almost buckled. He had missed her every minute since that Sunday but until now he didn't realise how much. Again he said "Thank you, Lord, thank you," He was shaking inside, he was close to tears, what a sight she was. His princess, his angel, she wasn't lost anymore, there she was up to her knees in the stream. What was she doing, he smiled and blessed the day she arrived in his life.
She had a sleeveless top on, her arms looked slightly tanned, her skirt was pulled up at the sides and tucked into the belt she wore. He had never really noticed what a tiny waist she had, maybe it was the belt, he had never seen her wear one of those before then he noticed tucked in the belt was a knife, a biggish one too. Her hair was in a loose knot on the top of her head, how she made him smile, how many other women would be seen like this. What was she doing? She was bent over hands in the water, it looked like she was carefully looking for something as her right arm was moving back and forth very slowly. He got the fright of his life when in one quick movement she flicked both her hands and a trout was thrown onto the bank. What the?
He carried on watching taking in every inch of her, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, he had said it before and would again but at this moment he was reminded of it. Bea stretched then made her way to the bank, should he go and help her, he didn't have a clue what he would say. She went to step up then as if remembering how weak her right leg could be she re-footed and led with her left. Having found the fish, she unsheathed the knife and with a hard swift tap of the hilt, it was no more. Picking it up she carried it along the bank a little then dropped it, there looked to be another one or two in the same spot. She sat on the bank and washed her hands in the stream, then she untied the bun, and that stunning mane fell, such a simple act and it set his pulse racing he thought his heart would burst. Wetting her hands she ran them through her hair a few times then retied it up in a ponytail.
She stood again and picked the fish up, looking up the hill she smiled
"Nathan you don't have to hide. I know you are there and have been for about 10 minutes."
Now he did cry, this was his girl, his mad, beautiful lady. He was shaking as he walked down the bank.
"Bea I am so sorry, I was a fool, and idiot, please forgive me."
She could see the pain, see him shaking, see his tears. "Come here" she held her hands out, dropped the fish, and started walking towards him, she was shaking too, she had tears, taking hold of his hands they looked into each other's eyes, and the pain and worry vanished. He dropped her hands and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her close and the kiss they shared would never be forgotten. They just held each other. The two had become one again, their missing part was back, they felt whole again.
Picking up the fish they walked hand in hand back up the bank, he wasn't letting go.
"Now where is my other big lad, I have missed him too."
"Not as much as he has missed you I bet, he found you, he chose this track. Newton saw them coming and tried to come over but his tether wasn't that long. She handed the fish to Nathan and then went over to Newton, his face was in hers immediately, I have missed you too big lad, but you found me, you found me, Hero who must have been a bit jealous came upon her other side. Nathan wished he had a camera, his wonderful girl being snuggled by 2 of the biggest horses in Hope Valley, what a sight it was.
"I hope I get one of those, " he laughed. "Everyone has missed you as you can see."
"You are staying aren't you?"
"I am going nowhere Bea, nowhere."
Laughing again she said " Well let's unload this lad, he needs a rest after that climb carrying you and all this lot. The shed is big enough for them both but we can leave them out a while yet."
Bea took Nathan's bags and blanket while he saw to the saddle and reins. There is more rope in the shed Nathan if you want to tether him like Hero.
She left the fish on the table outside then took the bags inside.
"That coffee smells good, can I?"
"You don't need to ask Nathan, can you pour me one while you are on. I will set a fresh pot away in a minute."
"I can do that, where is it?"
"In that corner cupboard, there is a new bag if that one is about empty."
"I have some too, I will put it in here too, I have a few other bits. Have you managed alright for food, or is that a silly question?"
He saw the look on her face, "OK silly question, "Poachers Head" ?"
"See you really do know me well now."
"Whatever you have cooking in the pot out there smells so good."
"Rabbit stew but that will be better left overnight and we can have that tomorrow, freshly tickled trout tonight."
"Oh is that what you were doing," he was laughing now "tickling trout? I have read about that and thought it was a joke."
"Well now you know and have seen it with your own eyes, that is another fishing tale for you."
"That is one you are going to have to teach me, Allie will be so amazed at that one."
Taking their coffee outside they sat beside each other on the steps, she rested her head on his shoulder, " I am sorry I missed them, really I am, but I had to run Nathan, I just had to get away. Did you have fun, make memories ?"
"We did, it was lovely having them both here, I won't lie, Bea, you were missed, it would have been so much better if you were there."
He kissed the top of her head. " I really need to talk to you Bea, about everything, I never ever want you to run like that again, I have a couple of things I must tell you."
"And I you, I really needed this alone time to sort myself out, I have a few things I need to tell you, after that you can make the decision about if I stay or go. I know what I want to do, but I have to tell you things, things that may make you feel differently, if that is the case then at least I have been honest, you will know everything there is to know about me. Then as we said before if you ask me to go I will."
"Bea what on earth can you tell me that makes you think I will change my mind ?"
"Well let's leave that until after we have eaten, then we will talk, even if we have to stay up all night, we will find where our future lies. One thing's for certain: I am not leaving this mountain until we know. Now are you cooking the fish because you are best fish cook?" she winked, and he howled with laughter again. Pulling her close again he kissed her, "Bea I truly have missed you so much."