CHAPTER 57

While Nathan did a quick check around town Bea called in to see Lee. He intended to ring Kevin tomorrow and discuss what he wanted to do with all his tools and bits and pieces that were left in the forge. Bea explained that she and Nathan would like to buy the tools for Colin, if Lee thought the price he asked was fair then she would arrange payment for them. However, they did not want Colin to know that it was they who bought them for him, would Lee be able to come up with some story or another to hide the fact.

"I am sure I can Bea, he is definitely the man for the job. It would be a shame if he declined the offer because he didn't have the tools he needed. Leave that with me and I will sort it, I think we have our new blacksmith."

"Thank you Lee, he is a good man and gave up everything to move here, he will be an asset to the town. Let me know and I will get the money for you. Oh just to let you know that Nathan and I will be out of town for a couple of days from tomorrow afternoon, we will be back late Saturday. Nathan has to go to Union City for a trial, I really need to get a few things so am going to go with him. I will check before we go and if you have heard anything then I will call at the Western Union offices and sort out payment, if not will it be alright to do it next week?"

"Yes, don't worry Bea, I will see to it. We do need to do dinner again when you get back."

"We will do maybe one night next week, we will look forward to it. Now I best get going before someone starts to worry where I am and thank you again."

It was a lovely evening, she sat outside the jail just watching people coming and going. Although it had only been 6 weeks since she arrived here she felt such a part of the community, everyone had been so welcoming, she had just fit in. It was beginning to feel like her new home, no she thought maybe that isn't quite the way she felt. She was happy here but Nathan was her home, wherever he was would be home from now on.

"Penny for them" he helped her up, " You were miles away, everything OK?"

"Everything is just perfect " she kissed his cheek.

"Come on then let's go and you can tell me what Lee said while we make dinner."

Nathan went to change while Bea started to cook. She loved this little house but she knew they would not be here forever, that a move was on the horizon but it was going to be a happy move, that no doubt would unfold in its own time and until then this little house would be their castle.

Having eaten and cleared away they sat on the back steps, it was such a beautiful night. Bea told him that Lee was more than willing to go along with their plan, so while she was in Union City she would sort out the transfer of some money. They would also need to add him as an authorized user to the accounts.

"Bea no you don't have to do that, I know we talked about this a bit before and honestly it makes no difference to me what you have or haven't, I promise if I really do need anything or think we can help someone then I will ask you. I would rather everything was left in just your name, for now at least."

"I know that, and love you all the more for it but Nathan as we have said before, life can change in seconds, I would feel happier knowing that should anything happen to me, should you need money for anything then you can access it. Nothing would be worse than it sitting there, you needing it for whatever reason and not being able to use it."

"Princess please don't say stuff like that, it scares me beyond imagination."

The pain that even the thought of it brought she could see on his face. " I didn't mean to frighten you darling, really I didn't, it is just that I would rather you signed a bit of paper that gave you access and then never need to use it than finding yourself in a position where you needed money, that it is sitting there and you can't get at it. Does that not make sense ?"

"It does I suppose, but I won't ever use it Bea, not unless it is an emergency, and please don't talk about not being here, my world would fall apart if that happened, honestly the thought of that is terrifying."

The tears were there ready to fall, and she felt his pain, it matched hers as she felt exactly the same way.

Cupping his face she kissed him, "I feel that too and that is why we must live every day the way we want, this is our life. Don't worry I don't intend to go anywhere without you it is just a safety net that will be there if needed."

He pulled her in so close, so tight, he would never let her go anywhere without a fight.

"Now enough morbid thoughts, we have a wedding to talk about." She kissed his nose because in 6 days' time I will be Mrs. Grant and then you are stuck with me."

He laughed and kissed her back " I guess I will be, I think I can just about cope."

"I have been thinking about Tuesday and there are a couple of old traditions I would still like to stick to if you agree. I don't want us to see each other that day until I arrive in the office, you already being there of course. They say it is bad luck if you do."

"That will be torture, you do know that" he was laughing" but I agree we can do that. I have one, and if I am going to have to wait around until 2 pm then I will need him for moral support, I would like to ask Colin to be our best man. I know we don't really need one but like you, I think it is a tradition I would like to hold."

"I love that idea, he will be over the moon. Now I have another which seems a bit strange I guess, I was thinking today how Dad, Uncle Harry, even Uncle Charles would have been so proud to give me away, I know I have no family to do that but I would like someone to actually stand-in for all three and give my hand to you. Nathan, I would love to ask Henry to do it, what do you think?"

"What a beautiful thought, he will be so moved you know, yes we must ask him. That is letting someone else in on the surprise though, Henry won't say anything. Let's see if we can catch him in the morning."

"Anything else you can think of or want? We need to try and catch Jed and mention about being witnesses, we can do that in the morning too."

"The only other thing I would like is some photographs, for us to treasure but also I really should send some back to the UK. I wondered if anyone in town was a bit of an amateur photographer, or if we bought a camera while we were away if anyone would take some for us."

"Well Carson was the man, mind Ned got the bug too, he would do it, but that is yet another person, and I doubt he could keep it a secret from Florence, and then who knows "

"Maybe we would be better just buying a camera and asking Colin to take some for us, we can do that anyway, see what he thinks, if push comes to shove we can ask Ned late on. A camera would be nice to have anyway, I didn't think to bring mine with me. We can add that to the shopping list."

"We have a list ?"

"We do, top of it is a ring for you, it would be lovely to get one in the same jewellers mine came from. I would like to have a look to see if they have a necklace that is similar. Then I have secret stuff on the list, I can get those before I meet you on Friday. Do you need anything?"

"I want to know what the secret stuff is" he laughed.

"That would spoil the surprise" she winked at him.

He grabbed her and lifted her up, "Is it not Tuesday yet?"

"Not long darling, not long."

Walking back to the saloon they made plans for the morning, they would try and catch Henry early then would speak to Jed before Nathan headed out. He would be back around one which would give him time to sort out what he needed then he would pick Bea up at the saloon. The stage was at 3 pm. They should make it to The Grand in time for dinner.

Kissing each other Goodnight they both thought that was one day closer.