*** Writers note ... I would like to apologise if the previous chapters have upset any readers. I have added a warning to the story now saying this story does not follow the morals of WCTH when it comes to premarital sex. I am lead to believe I have lost readers because of this, I can only say sorry if that is the case.

CHAPTER 50

While neither of them had wanted to leave the cabin, the mountain, Nathan had to admit it felt good to be bringing her back, to be riding down the main street with his "princess."

They tied the boys up outside the saloon, he wanted her in and sorted then he would take them to the livery, the pair of them had done so well today.

As she dismounted he caught her, "Welcome home Bea."

"Thank you for bringing me back."

What if anything they expected when they walked in neither knew but not what actually happened. The place erupted in cheers, hugs, kisses, handshakes, and tears."

"Bea everything is as you left it, well clean linen and towels, we all lived in hope you would be back."

Handing her the key Clara added, " That room will always be known as Bea's room."

Nathan carried her saddlebags up, closing the door he laid them on the bed and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I think they are all glad to have you back, you ok princess?"

"I am or will be. I am going to unpack this stuff then have a soak in the bathtub, that will sort me out. We are still going to have dinner tonight?"

"We are, I will go and see to the boys then head home. I will unpack and wash and change, I will be back in a couple of hours."

She looked so sad.

"Bea we will be fine, I feel the same way you do. After the time we spent together these last few days it is very difficult to leave you, even for a couple of hours, but it will all be OK."

"I know, it's getting used to people again."

"Well remember if it gets too much."

"Little by little is the best way. Now you best go and see to our boys and I will see you in a couple of hours."

She kissed him, "I love you so much, Nathan."

"I love you too Bea, with all my heart."

He pulled her in close and kissed her brow.

"Right, you have a lovely soak and I will see you soon."

As he left although happy he really felt for her. What was it truly like to be as she was? For your average person life could be difficult at times, he knew that too well, but to carry what Bea did. He would learn, he would take as much of the burden off her shoulders as he could. Colin too, together they would keep her safe. They just needed time to find their place. Deep down someone or thing was telling him all would be fine.

Bea had a long soak, while dipping in the pool was invigorating; this was pure heaven. She felt herself relaxing. She was just drying her hair, well as best she could, when there was a

knock at the door.

"Come in."

In bounced a smiling, crying Rosemary. She took one look at Bea and then just hugged her. "I have never been so happy to see anyone in my life Bea. Are you OK, are you and Nathan?"

Bea just smiled, "Rosemary, sit down before you have heart failure. I am fine, we are just perfect, in fact, more than perfect. We have spoken about all and everything. Thank you for telling him what actually happened that day."

"Well, I am not even going to talk about you know who, as long as you two are fine."

"Rosemary, we love each other so much and have had the courage to tell each other. We are both so happy and content. She won't be able to part us now no matter how she tries."

"Nathan mentioned that you had talked about staying, he really feared he had lost you for good you know. Are you going to be staying?"

"Between you and us, oh and Colin, yes I am. But don't say anything yet as we have things to sort first."

"Bea I won't but I am so happy for you. Hope Valley wouldn't be the same if one or both of you left. Colin knows you say?"

"He was such a help to me, and in turn to Nathan. We both feel we have found a very special friend there. He has been like a big brother to me these last weeks." she laughed,

"He has even started calling me sis and I love it. Yes, Nathan and I are have made a lifelong friend there."

"Where did you actually go?"

"High up into the mountains, in a lovely cabin, it was idyllic, well to me it was. Nathan knew I wanted to explore up there, so he followed his hunch. When I saw him standing there having found me I knew everything would work out. And, it has. He will be back soon, we have a couple of things to try and sort, then we move forward together."

"I am so happy for you both, everyone can see you were made for each other, like two pieces of a puzzle you just fit together so well. We must have a catch-up, maybe tomorrow, oh and I ran the article about the Chalkboard and check-in, everyone is very keen. The town council meeting is Tuesday so maybe you can both come."

"We will be there, I can explain a bit more, we can get it up and running."

"Right well I will let you get ready, I will catch you tomorrow... Welcome home again Bea.."

Her hair was almost dry, she would leave it down tonight. Looking in the drawer for a ribbon she saw the folder that Uncle Charles had given her, Nathan and her would need to study that. She left it on the top of the dresser so she wouldn't forget. Ribbon chosen, a lovely black one, she took the sides of her hair back and braided just those. "I must make a point of going to see Fiona this week and getting a few inches cut off, it really needs a chop."

Checking herself in the mirror she was actually surprised at how much of a tan she had, maybe it was the white blouse that showed it off but yes her normally fair skin had caught the sun.

There was a knock at the door, she knew who this would be and smiled. "Come in sweetie"

His face lit up when he saw her. She looked so well, he too noticed the tan.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he brushed her hair, "You look stunning Bea, you really have caught the sun."

"I was just thinking that, I hadn't really noticed how much. I think the white makes it look darker than it is, Ethel would go mad if she saw me, " she was laughing "she would tell me ladies should be fair-skinned."

" Well I quite like it, you have a healthy glow. Now before we go down there I need.." he pulled her close and kissed her."

"I needed that too, can I be greedy and have another ?"

She didn't need to ask.

"Oh Nathan I have taken those papers out, I honestly haven't looked to see what is in there but knowing Uncle Charles he will have thought of everything. Maybe after you finish work tomorrow we can have a good look."

"I was going to suggest we could maybe make dinner at home tomorrow, just the two of us, we can look at them then."

"Just the two of us sounds perfect, I could make dinner ready for you coming home, no rabbit I promise."

"Bea I want you to have the spare key, that way if you need quiet then you can just let yourself in. I will bring it in tomorrow, and coming home to you and dinner sounds like heaven to me. Are you ready to face everyone downstairs?"

"I am, but maybe a kiss for courage would be good."

There was no getting away from the fact that they made a striking couple. The kind who just turn heads, Nathan was a handsome man and Bea a beautiful woman but together, there was just a special something. It really did have to be seen and felt.

People just wanted to welcome her back, they meant well but any plans they had to talk went out the window.

"Bea can we get out of here and go for a walk, just half an hour. I really need to ask you something and want to do it tonight?"

"That would be perfect, will I need a shawl do you think?"

"I will get it for you, the one on the chair? "

Watching him run up the stairs she felt so blessed, what a lucky lady she was and she would never ever forget that.

They walked hand in hand along the boardwalk and when they reached the mercantile Nathan said " Can we sit a while, I really need to ask you something Princess. I know we spoke about this before but now we are back here I wanted to say it again. Remember when we talked about you going home, you said that come the time if I asked you to go you would but if I dared you would stay?"

A look of panic must have spread across her face because he grabbed her hands, "I dare Bea if you dare, I don't want you to go. I just felt I needed to ask again, I know it will be you who has to give up your life as you knew it, that I have the easy bit. I will never, ever forget what you gave up for us, please Bea will you stay?"

How could she say no, that was never going to be her answer.

"Nathan, as I told you up there, I am going nowhere. I dare too. You are my life now, my missing piece, from now on wherever you go I go, I want nothing more, I need nothing more, so yes I will stay, I can't think of anywhere else I want to be."

They sat for ten minutes or so just wrapped up in each other's arms, then it was Bea who made to move "I will let you head home, you will have a busy day tomorrow, I will pick that key up and make dinner for us. I am going to take Hero out early I think as I have a couple of things to do, I must pick up my mail and things."

"Come on then princess let me walk you back, don't be doing too much though, we don't want you worn out again."

"I promise, I will do as I am told." She pulled him in close. "Night night darling, I love you, I will see you tomorrow."

" Night night and I love you too, always."