CHAPTER 64

They had agreed that Nathan would tell them what they had planned and ask them to be there.

Nathan and Lee were chatting about baseball and Bea was being quizzed about her time in Union City, what had she bought, had she seen anything new and exciting?

"We actually bought one of the latest cameras, I have wanted one for a while, are you any good with a camera Lee?"

"He likes to think he is, but I am better, I took some really good photographs while we were on holiday."

"To be fair we are both a bit keen. Why do you ask?"

"Well," he grinned at Bea and took her hand " We have a favour to ask you, we are planning a surprise on Tuesday, everything is sorted we just need someone to take some photographs and wondered if maybe you would like to help us and do that?"

"A surprise for who?" asked Rosemary.

"Well, most of Hope Valley apart from 7 people isn't it Bea?"

"Yes just the 7, we would really love for you both to make that 9."

"You have me lost here, what kind of surprise?"

She squeezed his hand, "At 2 pm on Tuesday this wonderful lady and I are getting married"

Rosemary nearly choked on her drink.

"We wanted it to be our day, we don't have family here, and we just want to do it as soon as we can, no fuss. Bill is going to officiate, Jed and his wife are going to be witnesses as he actually helped me propose. We are sticking to a few old traditions and Bea has asked Henry to give her away, so they and Colin are the only people who know. We really would like you to be part of the day, you have been such good friends to us both."

Rosemary was crying "It is the most romantic thing ever, of course we want to be part of your day."

Lee shook Nathan's hand "Of course we will be part of it, we will help in any way we can won't we Rosie?"

"One thing, we know that once we are seen in town dressed for a wedding in the early afternoon, especially Bea, then the whole town will guess. But we still would like to keep it just to the 9 of us for as long as we could."

"Totally understand Nathan, it is your day. So what are you doing after the actual ceremony, you have to do something?"

"Well, we thought we could just head back to the saloon, buy everyone a drink then head home. As I say we don't want a fuss. We just want to be married. "

"One thing my accident taught me last year, above all else, was how quickly life can change, how no one is guaranteed a tomorrow. This is it, this is our life, our time and we are not going to run the risk of having no tomorrow. If we could have done it even sooner we would have."

Rosemary was away again, "Bea you beautiful girl, we will be honoured to be part of your day, and yes it is your day. Now, do you need help with anything else?"

"Well maybe on Tuesday you could help me get ready if you would?"

"This just gets more and more exciting, Lee we will both take photographs, we can use our camera and Nathan's, if that is alright, we will capture the day. Now go and buy us all a drink. I think a toast is in order."

"Right while they are at the bar Bea, have you got a dress and everything you need?"

"I have, it isn't a wedding gown but it is a beautiful evening gown I bought when I came here, but have never worn. I just hope Hope Valley is ready for it, why don't you drop around in the morning, I would love your opinion. I have everything I need to go with it, I got that when we were away. I even have a florist making my bouquet and bringing it here for me. When I told him what I was planning on doing he asked if he could make it for me and he would bring it all the way from Union City."

"I will do that, I can't wait to see it, can I have a clue?"

"Art deco straight from the Paris spring collection."

"Oh my Bea, those styles are so glamorous, I will come about 10 am, oh here they are back."

"Here we go ladies, now a toast I think "To Nathan and Bea, the heartbeat of Hope Valley" as someone called you."

It was about an hour later after lots of questions that Bea made her excuses, she was really tired. Nathan took her up and made her promise to shout for help through the night if she needed it, he really did not want to leave her.

"I will be OK, I am going to take a couple of those tablets, they will help me sleep and I promise I will shout if I need to. Now, you get home sweetie and I will see you in the morning, not long now."

Kissing each other goodnight they both felt it, Tuesday could not come quick enough.