CHAPTER 55
Making sure she was OK for ten minutes Nathan and Colin headed to the livery to sort Mack for the night.
"Nathan how badly was Bea injured, how close to death was she?"
"As close as you can get, we are very lucky to have her. You know we mentioned to you the folder of papers her uncle had given her, last night she asked me to look at them, to see if there was anyone that may be able to offer us help with all that is going on up your way, that worked well I have to say. Inside that folder is a separate one, from Dr. Wilson the trauma specialist who treated her then and carries on doing so. I read the cover letter which shows how much he thinks of her. As I went to replace it I noticed a drawing, a diagram, I pulled it out to look at and I wished I never had. It showed her leg as he first saw it, I could have thrown up. How she fought back from an injury like it we will never know, then for infection to set in and be on death's door again. We are so, so lucky. He could feel himself near tears. When she was talking in there tonight did you feel anything?"
" I was going to ask you that, yes I did, a warmth that seemed to flow through me to her."
"Yes me too, exactly that, tonight I think we started to learn what being a guardian is, we just have to be there, share our strength with her when she needs it."
"I agree, did you notice how everyone was listening to her every word? That was the old one talking Nathan, that was the storyteller, I have seen that before. When she talks like that when the old one talks everyone will listen."
"Well let's go see how she is, and get something to eat, and we have something exciting to tell you."
As the three of them walked across to the cafe, Bea in the middle linking them both she said " I felt your strength tonight, inside I actually felt it, and thank you. I am so blessed to have found you both."
"Bea Colin and I mentioned that, we felt it too as if it flowed from us to you, and if that is what we need to do then we have you princess."
The cafe was fairly quiet, and as they sat waiting for their food it was Nathan who brought up the subject of the forge. "Colin, you could run that, would you consider doing it? The town actually owns it so I guess you would pay rent, we really are in need of someone."
"I must admit when it was mentioned I thought how much of a coincidence it was, or with everything that has happened maybe not. However, if sis here is right about the livery I would not be able to commit to that full time."
"I am sure when that does happen we can find someone to help me out there Colin, Blacksmiths aren't easy to find, it seems to me that you are being handed a gift."
"I think Bea is right, we could help at the livery as much as we could and I agree that finding someone to work there would be easier than finding another smithy. I think you would be a fool not to at least talk to Lee about it."
Well if you are both sure then I will do that, maybe I can catch him in the morning before I head back. When are you wanting to talk to the settlers Bea, sooner rather than later I guess? I was thinking maybe you could head out with me tomorrow, then again maybe I should talk to them first, see if I can get them all together that would be easier."
"I think that would be the best idea, maybe arrange a day."
Nathan and she exchanged a knowing look, as long as it isn't next Tuesday.
Dinner arrived and as they ate it was Nathan who smiling at Bea broke the news " Colin Bea and I have something to tell you, apart from yourself only Jed and Bill know and we hope to keep it that way, mind that will be a task. I have asked this amazing lady to marry me, she has made me the happiest man alive by saying yes. Next Tuesday she will become Mrs. Grant."
The look that passed between them both said it all, Colin wanted to hug Bea, hell even hug Nathan, he was so happy for them both. " All I can say is congratulations, you are meant to be, if any two people were made for each other it is you two. Mind why the rush " he was laughing.
"Because," said Bea " I don't want to wait, if Bill could have done it today I would have. He needs to see some documents though, he is fairly busy this week and has volunteered to stand in for Nathan for a couple of days so we get to enjoy a kind of honeymoon. Oh Colin you should see the ring Nathan has given me, it is the most beautiful I have ever seen, but it would be a giveaway so that too is being hidden for now. "
" And Tuesday is my birthday, what better gift can I have than this one. Bea doesn't want anything grand, I did ask, we want it to be our day so are trying to keep it quiet. We will tell everyone but after. We still need to sort a few things out but we want you to be there."
"Well, I am glad you said that because there is no way you could stop me."
"Nathan we will have to ask Bill about witnesses, I know back home there have to be two, that means if Colin was one we would need at least one more."
"That is true princess, we need to give that some thought, we could hardly ask say Lee or Rosemary without the other being curious. Mind as Jed already knows, maybe we could ask him and his wife, I am sure they would feel honoured."
"That is a great idea Nathan, he will love that. We could ask him tomorrow after we have seen Bill again and know what is what."
Colin sat watching and listening to the pair of them, just being in their company would lift anyone's spirits, non the wonder the whole of Hope Valley was so concerned about them last week. Last week he thought, how my life has changed in that week, whoever I have to thank for that I do.
They finished their meal, paid the bill, and as they left everyone in the cafe said Goodnight.
"I don't think you will have a hope of trying to keep this a secret, just saying" laughed Colin.