CHAPTER 67

Colin, having seen to Mack and walked Hero, thought he would call in and see if Lee was about. Newton hadn't been in his stall so Nathan wasn't back yet, he would keep an eye out for him coming. He knocked and went in to find Lee and Rosemary in deep discussion.

"Sorry, am I interrupting? I can come back later."

"Colin, just the man," said Lee " I am afraid my wife here, meaning well, has let the cat out the bag about tomorrow, now the ladies of Hope Valley are running around like headless chickens trying to organise some kind of reception for the happy couple. I fear it is getting a bit out of hand. Tell her will you, they didn't want a fuss."

Grinning he said "I told them they didn't stand a chance of keeping it a secret, not that secret is the word really. They just wanted to get married as quickly as they could, planning a full-blown wedding can take months and these two just want to be together. They are like two pieces of a puzzle and are better together if you know what I mean. As far as I know, unless plans had changed, they were going to tell everyone just after the event."

"See Lee, it isn't a secret in that way, we are not going to let on we know just surprise them when they go into the saloon after. We can't let these two have the biggest day of their lives, and I might add Hope Valley's most glamorous bride ever, just disappear after the event. Everyone here wants to let them know how much we appreciate them, how much they mean to us, and we aren't going to tell them, it will be our surprise for them."

"You reckon, just don't get carried away Rosie, I know you."

"We haven't got time to get carried away, and don't you be letting on Lee Coulter, or you Colin."

They both laughed, "I am sure they will appreciate it, they are both so excited, I bumped into Nathan this morning, I bet he is a nervous wreck until he sees her tomorrow."

"Well, Colin having seen her gown this morning you may have to hold him up when he does."

"Right I have things to sort, don't you be late Lee, I will see you tonight Colin, and remember that this is the town's surprise so sealed lips please."

"I hope they know what they did asking us to be there" laughed Lee, " anyway I take it you are here about the forge. Did they tell you I got a great deal on the tools so they are yours to use, no charge for those. The rent will be monthly but we will give you a three-month grace to get yourself up and running."

"I do have use of the rooms above, do I Lee?"

"Yes the whole building will be yours, you run the business as you see fit."

"Then in that case Hope Valley has a new Blacksmith and thank you for the opportunity Lee. I won't let the town down."

They shook hands, "You may as well take the keys now, I will have the papers to sign on Wednesday, and then that will be that."

"Hopefully I will be up and running next week, I haven't got much to bring down, I will have to think about what to do with my claim, sure I can sort something out. Right, I had better get a move on, apparently, I am going to a wedding tomorrow speaking of which I will see you later. Thanks again Lee."

Walking out of there with the keys in his hand, a new beginning at his fingertips he felt on top of the world. Giving up everything he had to move here had been a difficult decision, now he knew it was the best one he had ever made.

As there was still no sign of Nathan, he seemed to be late, he walked over to the forge, his forge he thought, and opened the doors. It was in really good shape. A quick tidy and sort out would be all that would take. On Wednesday he would check what if anything he would need to get started and light the actual forge to make sure it was all functional. He headed upstairs to check the rooms out, there was a kitchen come sitting room, a bedroom, and a bathroom. They would need a bit of a clean, maybe a coat of paint but he would be happy here, maybe Bea could help him with new curtains and the like, he would ask her after all if he had brothers jobs then she had sister ones.

He was just coming down the stairs when he heard Nathan call, "You in here smithy?"

"I am indeed, just checking out my new home, all mine now."

Nathan shook his hand "Congratulations, you know we are both happy for you and for us too, having you closer will be a huge blessing. How does it look, much to do?"

"Very little, well down here, hopefully, I will open next week, upstairs needs a clean and freshen up that is no big task. I was just thinking about how my life has turned around in the last couple of months."

"All three of us I think, I still can't believe that two months ago I rode back into Hope Valley not even knowing if I would stay, look at me now. I actually wanted to ask you, Colin, you know we have chosen to stick to a few traditions, one we would like is for you to be our best man, I think I am going to need you tomorrow, I am bad enough today how I will get to 2 pm tomorrow I have no idea."

"That bad?" Colin was laughing "You know I will, and don't worry we will get you there in one piece, my life won't be worth living if I don't. Speaking of sis she said that 2 grates arrived at the mercantile for her this morning and would we collect them. One to go over to the saloon the other straight home. If you have work to finish I can do that now."

"No I will go over there with you now, if you take one to Bea, I will take the other home with me when I go then that is one job less to do. I wonder if these are the ones she has been waiting for?"

"All she said was they were from Scotland, special and something she had forgotten about so maybe not."

"Well let's go solve the mystery, then I can finish the paperwork I need to do and hand the keys over to Bill for 6 days."