CHAPTER 79

The four sat and talked for almost an hour, Nathan and Bea agreed to purchase all the equipment Jed didn't want to take, they would not quibble over price, once all the paperwork was drawn up and signed the money would be transferred.

"Well, I will get the ball rolling on Monday, not sure how long these things take."

"There is no rush Jed, don't worry about that. Bea needs to get her equipment over from the UK, which may take a while, and we will need to see about getting the back converted, get some plans in place. We will run everything as you have we promise."

"I will miss the place, well not coming in every day."

"Jed you are welcome to come and help out any time, really you will always be welcome."

Nathan happened to look at her, "Bea moment " he thought.

"Do you live far from the Jamieson place ?"

"No Elsie is our closest neighbour, lovely place and family, such a shame her daughter decided not to come back. She has been trying to sell but like us she doesn't want to sell to just anyone. Mind I understand why, there was a lot of love poured into that home."

"I often call in on her but she never really talks about the family, I took Bea out there the other day. Did you know the whole family?"

"Well, I remember the old Jamieson brothers from when I was young, a great trio they were."

Nathan looked at Bea as if to say " do we say anything?" and she just nodded.

"Well here is the thing, Bea and I are thinking of buying her place too, our forever home. We wanted to wait and see how you felt about selling here because we would like the two places to work hand in hand. The stables and land will be very useful and that house is magnificent. We have spoken to Mrs. J and like you, she would love us to be the new owners."

"Well what a place you would have there, and you would fill it with the love it deserves again."

"We have a few things to think about first, just little ones, with Bea and I both working. It will be a big place for us to keep on top of, and I am not sure I want Bea out there on her own so far from town. Mind knowing you are close is a comfort."

"Nathan I understand that, we will be happy to help you out, would keep me busy and I know Mary would love to be let loose in that house."

"I would, I really would, in fact I have dreamt about it" she laughed.

"It is beautiful, have you seen right round it Mary?"

"No, I can only imagine."

"Mary, you will have heart failure," Bea laughed. " Just wait until you see the bathrooms."

"Anyway that is for another day, at least we know where we are with you and thank you both again, we won't let you down. Let us know if you need our help with anything."

"I will keep you up to date and we know we are leaving the place in the best hands."

"Right, Mrs. Grant let's get home, and thank you for your help today Mary."

"Yes thank you both for helping to make our dream come true."

"Go on before you have us in tears again, see you Monday no doubt."

Bea couldn't wait to put her feet up for ten minutes, she had done too much bending and stretching, she really should know better. Nathan sat and lifted her legs onto his lap. "What did you see Bea, when we were talking to Jed and Mary?"

"Mary in the kitchen at Mrs. J's and Jed bringing in wood for the fires. Maybe they could help us about the place Nathan, I am sure if we suggested it they would love to. It would solve our problems and there is no one we could trust more."

"That my darling wife would be the perfect solution. If they will do that then I think we should make Mrs. J that offer, what about you."

"I think so too, and Mary was right, we will fill that place with love, it will reach into every corner and crevice, it will be our forever home and apart from the cabin we will never find anywhere like it."

"The cabin will always be special princess, always. No matter what is going on here we are going back up there before the winter, that I promise."

Bea was clearing away after dinner when Nathan came in carrying what was the crate but now the most beautiful memory box. He had given it another coat of varnish last night and had now added brass hinges, catch, and closure. It had been transformed, the stamp from Moragbea Distillery was so visible now.

"Nathan that was such a good idea, you have worked wonders on it, it is a treasure in itself."

"I have to say it has come up even better than I thought. I think if we line the bottom with something then it needs nothing else."

" I have the perfect thing." She went upstairs and came back with some of the tissue paper that had lined the box her bouquet had arrived in. Folding it she fitted it in the bottom.

"That is the first memory placed in there, I have more for now."

The copy of the magazine that brought her to Hope Valley and her unused return tickets went in the box.

Well, I have a couple too. He went upstairs and came down with the card that had been displayed with her ring, then he took his birthday card and placed that in there too.

"I have a request for another. Can we put the lovely white garter in there, the one with the blue ribbon? Seeing that was a very happy memory."

"If you would like it in there darling then there it will go, it's upstairs in the top drawer."

She laughed as he went running up the stairs to get it.

"Once the flowers are dry I will put those in, and also the wedding cards."

Nathan took the box and placed it down beside the desk, it would stay there for now and when they moved, it would go in the office.

The pictures were almost finished too he just needed to get glass cut for them, they would take pride of place.

"Do you need a hand there princess?"

"No you go sit down, I will just peel these carrots and then the veg is all prepared just to switch on tomorrow."

"Do you want a drink? Think I will have a beer, I think we have earned it today."

"No, I am fine, I will just finish this coffee. Tomorrow you must relax, we have never really stopped since Tuesday and you are back at work Monday. Why don't you take Colin fishing, you promised to show him the best places."

"Well you are better at spotting those than me princess, but do you not need any help?"

"No I will be fine, you go and have some boy time, you have earned that too."

As she sat beside him on the sofa he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, she nestled in.

"Have I told you how much I love you today Mrs. Grant?"

"You have but I never tire of hearing it Constable and I love you that much too."