Take my hand

Take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

-Elvis Presley, "Can't Help Falling In Love

Nathan would swear for the rest of his life that his heart literally skipped a beat or two when the door to Elizabeth's home opened that evening. She was dressed as she was the first time he'd met her. She was surrounded by lamplight instead of golden sunshine, and she looked just as beautiful as she did that day. Her smile was bright and she quickly steeped backward to welcome him inside. There was some awkwardness, but not as much as he'd assumed, as they worked together to begin their meal. The conversation during dinner wasn't stilted at all, much to Nathan's surprise and relief. It almost seemed as if having dinner together was as natural and comfortable as breathing.

Elizabeth began to serve dessert-cherry pie and coffee. She had just set the coffee pot down after pouring his cup when she looked at him and Nathan felt his heart freeze.

"Nathan, I need to say something to you. And I'm sorry, but I just can't wait any longer," she said.

There was a stiffness to her shoulders and determination in her eyes that hadn't been there only a moment before. Nathan stopped breathing. He was certain that the look and words meant nothing good.

"What is it?" Nathan asked, glad this his voice had not shook.

Elizabeth straightened her spine further and took a deep breath. "I'm not ignorant to the fact that you and Lucas have both begun to pursue me as more than a friend. I'd thought so, but it was very clear after you both brought me flowers."

He noticed she blushed a little and her eyes flickered away before focusing back on him.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Nathan. After I finally admitted to myself that I could be ready to open my heart again, I truthfully didn't know whose attention I preferred in that manner."

Ouch, he thought and felt his heart sink at the confirmation, but he didn't interrupt. Elizabeth looked like she was making a confession and he knew from his job-not that Elizabeth was a criminal, of course-that it was usually better to stay silent during moments like these.

She took another breath and continued. "You and Lucas are both very sweet and good men. My reticence to decide had nothing to do with either of you, but because I knew that someone was going to get hurt either way. That's the last thing that I want." Elizabeth's eyes and words were earnest and genuine. She almost looked worried that she wasn't conveying the truthfulness of her statement and Nathan could no longer keep quiet.

"I know that, Elizabeth. You're one of the kindest people I've ever met," he said sincerely.

His words were met with a smile.

"Thank you, Nathan."

"I also want you to know that while I've never experienced the same, I can still appreciate the difficult position you've been in," he replied. "That's why I never wanted to push you. I also understand why you would be hesitant to possibly begin another relationship with a Mountie." He could see the pain in her eyes at his words. He could've kicked himself for causing it, but he needed Elizabeth to know that he'd never hold it against her. Only a callous man would ignore the loss she suffered.

"I-I can't tell you how much that means to me, Nathan."

Elizabeth wiped a stray tear from her left cheek and it was at that moment that Nathan realized that she was no longer wearing her wedding rings. His eyes widened at the sight. Firstly, he wondered how he'd missed it. Due to his job he had to be observant. And he was usually very good at it. Not this time, however. Secondly, he couldn't help but feel hope bloom in his chest at the meaning behind the action. His eyes were still riveted to her hand after she'd placed it back on the table, palm-down.

Elizabeth must've noticed his distraction and saw where his attention had been drawn because she lifted her hand again. Nathan's eyes followed, then continued up to her face. Her lips twitched at the corners and she wiggled her fingers slightly.

"I felt it was time to take my rings off. I didn't think wearing them while trying to begin a new relationship would set a good precedent." She laid her hand back down.

It took several moments for her words to fully sink in. Nathan was sure if he hadn't already been sitting down, his legs might've given out on him. He vaguely wondered if he'd misheard. He swallowed a few times, his mouth suddenly very dry.

"Elizabeth-" his voice faltered. Nathan cleared his throat and tried again. "Elizabeth, does that mean what I think it means?" What I hope it means, he added to himself.

With a tender smile and softening eyes, Elizabeth said, "Yes, Nathan. I would very much like to enter into a relationship with you. If that's something you want." She blushed.

Nathan was incredulous. If he wanted to? Of course he did!

"Elizabeth," it was a struggle not to cry out her name, "there's nothing I want more than to court you. I just never knew what to say." He shrugged helplessly.

Elizabeth giggled, prompting Nathan to join in with a chuckle of his own.

"I think that's an understatement, Nathan, but I do understand," she said graciously.

He could see there was still a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, though. He just grinned back.

She abruptly became serious again. "We can tell Allie, Rosemary, and Lee tonight, but I need to talk to Lucas tomorrow before we let the whole town know. I owe him that courtesy."

Nathan agreed and she looked relieved.

"Allie is going to be very excited, you know," Nathan then informed her. "She actually asked me if tonight was a date since we were eating alone," he said with some embarrassment at his niece's boldly presumptuous question.

Elizabeth just laughed. "Well, that a liberal definition of a date, but I can see why she might think that."

Nathan laughed too. "Allie can have some pretty interesting ideas sometimes, I'll give you that." Like her thinking it would be a good idea to demand payment for showing a card trick.

"Yes she does. But that's what's so wonderful about children. They can be quite surprising with how they see the world and can have insights that adults sometimes miss. It's one of the best things about my job; to see how differently each child's mind works."

"It must be fascinating," Nathan said.

"It really is."

They didn't talk for a minute or so, just sat and smiled at each other. Nathan finally held his hand out to her in a gesture that was the first one he'd initiated and followed through with. Elizabeth placed her hand in his immediately. His hand tingled at the warmth hers provided. "Elizabeth Thornton, would you join me for dinner this Friday evening for what would definitely be considered a date? If you're free, of course," he quickly added.

He felt her squeeze his hand as she replied. "I am free and I would love to go on a date with you, Nathan Grant."

Nathan couldn't stop the huge smile that overtook his face, growing even wider when Elizabeth's smile radiated the happiness he felt. They finally returned to the now-cold dessert, but Nathan didn't care. He was the most content he'd been in a very long time.