CHAPTER FOUR
Nathan heard their car and came immediately though his office door to greet them. "How are my two favorite girls? Did you have fun?"
"Oh, so much fun, Uncle Nathan! So. Much. Fun!" emphasizing each word, as Elizabeth smiled at him from behind her.
'Why, oh why,' thought Elizabeth to herself, 'are my cheeks getting red?'
And she knew they were, she could feel them. But the sight of him, since yesterday, and probably long before that, seemed to have that specific effect on her, no matter how hard she tried for it not to happen!
"It was a perfect day, Nathan! Just what we needed. But we're kidnapping you now and taking you home with us," Elizabeth said before realizing exactly what she had said. "I mean, I me…mean to…to your home." Again, she was the one stammering and her cheeks were now at a fever pitch!
Nathan grinned and gave her a quick hug, with an even quicker kiss on her flaming cheek. He wanted so much more, but Allie was standing there. So, for now, this would have to do. But as he smiled down at her, it didn't matter that he'd have to wait a bit.
"Let me get the lights and lock up," whispered Nathan as he turned to do so.
Elizabeth's hand instinctively went to the very spot Nathan had kissed her cheek. She knew that particular cheek must be on fire, because it certainly felt as though it were!
When Nathan came back out, Elizabeth could tell he was exhausted from the day, but he was so happy to see them, and she could see he was trying to bury the events of the previous day and whatever he had dealt with during this day to be fully present with them. And that gave her hope.
She knew deep in her own heart, Nathan was going to be alright. It might take a while, but he was going to be okay. And she would help see him through.
Of that, she was certain!
Arm in arm, the three of them contentedly headed towards Rosemary and Lee's.
It wasn't long after that Allie decided to break away and happily run ahead. There was still enough daylight that Nathan could easily watch after her.
He used the moment to turn to Elizabeth and gaze at her in the dusk.
"Now I know why this is my favorite time of day," he said.
"Why is that?" she asked, smiling up at him.
"Do you know how magnificent you are?"
"I can't say I've ever been called magnificent before," she answered, grinning shyly.
"But you are magnificent, Darling. Not that I need to school the Schoolteacher, but it means you're impressively beautiful, even strikingly so. That's what you are to me - the most beautiful woman I've ever seen! I was thinking today, what did I ever do in my life to deserve you? And I couldn't come up with a single thing. But I'm so delighted you are back here with me right now. You make the sun shine after it's set, and the moon glow before it rises. That's why this is my favorite time of day."
"Nathan, that's sheer poetry. How did you just do that?"
"It's just all true," he gave a half shrug, smiling as he gazed into her beautiful deep brown eyes, getting lost in their depth.
The serious look on his face told her he meant every word he had said.
Then right there in the middle of the street, Nathan drew Elizabeth even closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she thought her knees might give way from his touch. And had he not been holding her so very tightly she was sure she would have collapsed in a heap on the street.
Allie glanced back and noticed her Uncle and Teacher were at somewhat of a standstill in the middle of the street. "Hey, you two, hurry up. We've got lots of boxes to unpack!"
"Orders from my 'take charge' child! Shall we?"
With one of Nathan's arms still wrapped tightly around her waist, Elizabeth wrapped her arm around his and nestled into his side. They walked the rest of the way as one unit together, relishing the nearness of each other.
They walked silently and blissfully together, needing no words until they finally came to the Coulter's row house.
"Oh, my goodness, you all did do damage. Did you buy Buxton out?" teased Nathan, eyeing Lee's car overflowing with boxes.
"Of course not, Uncle Nathan, we left some things!"
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Don't want to be greedy, do we?" But he flashed a huge smile and wink to Elizabeth. He was thrilled to see them both so happy.
"Where do I start?" he asked.
"Oh, Nathan, I haven't a clue. We need Rosemary, she's the shopping expert, and she's the only one that's going to be able to tell which packages belong to whom."
He could see that Elizabeth was genuinely perplexed. And he could understand why looking over the mounds of boxes.
As if on cue, Lee and Rosemary came bounding through their front door to oversee this major unpacking feat.
Obviously, from Lee's face, it was his first time to see the damage his wife had done.
But, being the doting husband he was, and being quite used to it by now, he merely shook his head and smiled.
"Nathan, want my advice? You better get used to this real quick! Now, where do we start?"
Nathan laughed with Lee.
Rosemary directed while Lee and Nathan sorted everything into three stacks. And somehow none of the three stacks appeared any smaller than the entire load that was initially in the car.
"Wow!" said Nathan as he stared at the stacks. "How can this even be physically possible? The boxes just keep multiplying. Ladies, I think the three of you have outdone yourselves, and in the process broken the Laws of Physics!"
Turning to Lee, "Lee, I think you and I missed out on quite an adventure! Wonder if men are ever allowed on these escapes?"
Even Lee responded with the women in unison, "Absolutely not!"
Nathan laughed and walked over to Rosemary. He casually took her hand and bent to kiss it. "You are so very kind, and I am so very grateful. Thanks for taking such good care of my girls."
Somehow Nathan managed all this without making any of it seem formal, as it would have seemed with most men. But with Nathan, it was just authentic, warm, and filled with sincerity.
Instead of her usual flippant comment, Rosemary looked up at Nathan, wholly charmed, and whispered something to him. He smiled and bent to kiss her hand again, then turned to shake hands with Lee, though it ended in a massive hug between the two men.
Elizabeth melted as she saw Rosemary and Lee welcome Nathan into their lives, and Nathan welcome them into theirs.
"Elizabeth, why don't you wait inside with Rosemary and Lee. I'll take Allie and all of her boxes home and come back to take you and all your boxes home. I won't be too long."
Rosemary came over and took Elizabeth's arm to lead her inside as Nathan attempted to lift and balance all of Allie's packages, which was going to require quite the juggling act!
Allie ran to Mrs. Coulter and Mrs. Thornton, hugged each of them, and excitedly thanked them again for the fantastic day they had just shared.
"Thanks so much for including me! It was just the best day ever! My very first Ladies' Day! I'll never forget it!"
"Allie, Sweetheart, I think I'm about to drop the smaller ones on top. We'd better hurry!"
Rosemary knelt and quickly whispered to Allie that she had hidden the box for her Uncle Nathan in her stack and would keep it safely at her house till Allie needed it for her Uncle's birthday. Allie reached up and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek in thanks.
And away she went, directing her Uncle Nathan to be careful as he carried her packages, which were sliding in all directions, trying to escape his arms from every angle.
Nathan turned, giving them all a huge smile over the tip-top of his load. It was clear to all that the man would do anything for his niece!
Inside, Elizabeth couldn't help ask Rosemary what she had whispered to Nathan, but on this, Rosemary was adamant, "Absolutely not, that's between Nathan and me." So, there was nothing left to say about that!
"Lee, you do know you have the most wonderful wife, don't you? All of this for today was her idea and doing. Even I didn't realize how much Allie and I needed this!" Turning to Rosemary, she hugged her and said, "I love you so much, sweet friend!"
"Elizabeth, and I, you. Lee and I are so very happy for you and Nathan! Actually, we couldn't be happier."
Lee came to hug Elizabeth, too, "I don't know exactly how all this finally happened, but I do know it's been a long time coming! I also know you couldn't have chosen a better man. Nathan clearly adores you, and Little Jack! Jack would be very proud, Elizabeth."
"Lee, I know he would be. I know he is proud. And that makes me very happy!"
The three continued to chat about all the little things they needed to catch up on.
"Jessie's still trying to figure out ways he can make each monthly Anniversary special for Clara. I told him he needs to tone it down, or he will have all the men in Hope Valley having to do the very same thing! But Jessie's determined. Poor guy. It's only his sixth month, and he's already having trouble coming up with anything! Don't know what in the world he'll do for their First Anniversary since he's already running out of options for the months!
"Oh, pooh, I think it's very romantic! I suppose I'll have to help the poor boy. A monthly Anniversary, what a lovely idea! Lee, take note. You can always learn from others, you know!"
"Yes, Dear, so you keep telling me, but don't you get any ideas. I have enough trouble coming up with something once a year for you on our Anniversary!"
Rosemary looked at Lee through squinted eyes, choosing to ignore his comment altogether!
"Elizabeth, have you seen the new dress designs at the Shoppe? I want you to critique them for me. You have such style, so please notice when you pass the window and let me know. Some of the new winter colors are a bit bolder than usual, I must say!"
"I promise, Rosemary. I will check them out and give you my honest opinion, although I'm sure your designs are lovely! And I promise to check the colors, too. Oh, I forgot to tell you Laura's spending the night. Her Dad is coming in to pick her up early in the morning before we leave for Church. So, if you hear any conversations through these walls, don't be alarmed. You'll know it's just us!"
"By the way, who is handling the service tomorrow at Church?" asked Lee. "I still don't know when the new Pastor is planning to return for good."
"Lee Coulter, that is still the mystery for the whole town. I would have thought you, as Chairman, and the rest of your Planning Committee could have done a better job at pinning the Reverend down to some specifics! Really, Lee, the man needs to make a commitment!"
"Yes, Dear, I suppose so." Lee answered, then mumbled under his breath, "Maybe you should chair the committee."
"Oh, Elizabeth, that brings me to something else we haven't discussed. We'll have to start planning the Holidays before too long. You know, they'll be here before we know it!"
"Rosemary, I haven't even given them a thought!"
"Of course, you haven't. Well, let's just say, I think your attention is otherwise occupied!"
"Rosie!" admonished Lee, but his face was full of love.
Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle.
They sat for a few minutes longer, taking in the warmth of each other's company over cups of coffee until the look on Elizabeth's face suddenly changed.
Rosemary and Lee both realized she knew Nathan was at the door before he could even knock.
Instantly, Elizabeth was out the door! Nathan had not even yet stepped up onto the Coulters' front porch.
Instead of going outside to send them off, the Coulters looked at each other knowingly and opted to stay inside to give the new couple the alone time they so desperately craved.
"How about another cup of coffee, Lee, Darling?"
But Lee knew better, "On no you don't! You just want to get rid of me so you can see what's going on!" He placed his arm around his beautiful wife's waist and gently coaxed her away from their front window!
"Lee Coulter, I never!"
Outside, Elizabeth ran into Nathan's arms. He held her close, taking in the scent of her hair and her enticing lavender perfume with hints of white lily. Nathan knew that particular scent, because his Mother, and Grandmother before her, had grown white lilies. He had loved them as a child. When Nathan first met Elizabeth, he had recognized the scent, and even then, he had been amazed that her choice of perfume was familiar to him and brought back so many childhood memories. He knew he would never tire of her enveloped in that luscious scent for as long as he lived.
At the same time, Elizabeth listened intently to Nathan's heartbeat and took in the woodsy, leathery scent of the saddle that always surrounded him. Oh, how she loved that masculine scent! Elizabeth had recognized it that very first day in his office. The memory had stayed with her till she sat down that same evening with her journal. And to be perfectly honest had stayed with her till this day. "How can a man's toiletry define him so accurately and completely?" she had written. "Granted, I don't even know the Constable, yet I know he is a man of God's Nature and, obviously, as a Mountie, a man of the saddle."
She gave a little start.
"I'm at your service Ma'am," he said formally, with a slight bow as he backed away from her. "I heard you might need some boxes moved."
"Oh, Nathan, I don't care if the boxes stay in the street all night! Just hold me for a bit longer."
And he did, kissing her hair, then bending to kiss her forehead, in what was now early moonlight.
Nathan and Elizabeth stood there, each holding the other, neither moving nor saying a word. But they were together, and that was all that mattered to both of them!
Finally, Nathan pulled away just long enough to look at her face.
"I was right, truly magnificent!"
And the word filled her heart all the more with love for him.