CHAPTER ELEVEN

Nathan had finally gone home to bathe and change clothes in preparation for his Dinner with Elizabeth. It was only the thought of seeing her and being with her that kept him from collapsing in a heap on his bed.

But he knew if he did, he would never be able to get back up. Instead, he splashed extra cold water on his freshly shaved face and ran his tired fingers through his hair.

As he glanced in the mirror, he thanked God again that everything had gone so smoothly. Headquarters had notified him that the prisoners had been transported safely without any untoward events and were securely locked in maximum-security cells, at different undisclosed locations.

When he received the call, Nathan had noticed that it was coming straight from the highest in command, Commissioner Harold G. Blake himself, not one of his many assistants.

"Exceptional work, Constable Grant, exceptional! There are no other words. I'm especially concerned and impressed that all this has come just after the previous transport of last Friday. How you've managed all this on top of that, I'll never know. But I'm leaving Kinslow and Latham in Hope Valley for at least two weeks so you can take some well deserved time off. After you do that, you are to call me. You'll be traveling to Headquarters as soon as we can schedule it."

Nathan had been puzzled, why would they need him at Headquarters, but he had been able to get out a forceful "Yes, Sir!"

Commissioner Blake had continued, "I might as well tell you, Constable Grant, I'm bestowing our highest Honor on you after you've had a chance to rest up. Therefore, get prepared. I've never been so pleased." With that, he had hung up.

The thought of a medal rattled Nathan, why should he be singled out? It had been a team effort. But when Commissioner Blake spoke, you listened and said, "Yes, Sir!" Nathan knew there would be no debating it. He would however make a point of seeing that all the Mounties involved were also honored, along with Lee and the deputized townsmen.

Maybe if he drank some coffee before he left for Elizabeth's, he'd be able to string two sentences together. Some really strong coffee!

Elizabeth and Allie, with Rosemary's help, had cooked a masterpiece of a dinner. There was a Standing Rib Roast that Ned Yost had insisted on giving Elizabeth free of charge, "Just make sure Nathan enjoys it," he had said with a look full of pride and thanks.

Rosemary had made her famous Potatoes au Gratin. Elizabeth had made Scalloped Corn and Roasted Asparagus. She had also fixed a Wilted Spinach with Chopped Egg Salad early this morning, so it would have plenty of time to chill. Allie had made her Uncle's favorite Peach Pudding Cake with Rosemary's help, of course.

Lee was coming too.

Elizabeth finished setting the table with her best china and crystal. The linen napkins were perfectly placed, and the candles shone brightly.

Everything was ready. Elizabeth heard a knock at her front door and quickly ran to welcome Nathan, but it was Lee.

"Hey, don't look so disappointed, I just might get my feelings hurt!"

"Sorry, Lee, was it that obvious?"

She laughed as Lee nodded his head vigorously.

"I'm sorry..."

She turned to give him a hug to make up for the disappointment she had shown.

"Where's my Little Jack?" he boomed, which was Little Jack's cue to come running into Lee's arms.

Rosemary beamed as she watched from the doorway,

"Hello, Sweetheart, looking very handsome!" she called to her husband. Lee carried Little Jack over so they each could give Rosemary a kiss, she quickly hugged them both and turned back to her work in the kitchen.

Finally, the second knock they had been waiting for.

Elizabeth's knees almost gave way she was so excited, but somehow she made it to the door and stepped out on the porch to greet him.

Nathan drew her close with one arm and said, "Thank you for doing this, my Darling. But it's so good to hold you. Think we could just stay outside?"

"Oh, no you don't Constable Grant, there is a Celebratory Feast inside in your Honor. Although, on second thought, it is tempting…"

He reached down to kiss her cheek, and his eyes said everything to her she needed to hear.

But then she noticed a very mischievous look cross his face, as he stood there looking full of charm.

She looked at him quizzically. 'Why was he holding her with one arm?'

Ever curious, Elizabeth started to peak, but he beat her to the surprise.

"These are for you, Darling!" and he moved his hidden arm to hand her the most beautiful lavender roses she had ever seen.

"Nathan!" she shrieked, loud enough for the entire length of row houses to have heard. His eyes sparkled and he bent to kiss her.

"Where, how…"

"I ordered them last week from a sweet lady in Buxton. I had helped her carry her bags home, not knowing she ran a Florist Shop. But when she showed me these, I knew you had to have them. Of course, they were supposed to come for our supposed dinner date, but somehow, as though it were meant to be, they came today! Enjoy them, Love! And you probably should know the lavender is because you love that color and wear it often, but also because lavender roses mean love at first sight, and that's exactly when you had my heart."

She reached over her flowers, stretching to give him a kiss of love and thanks, then whispering, "These are the most romantic flowers I've ever had. Here, you're celebrating me and we're supposed to be celebrating you!"

"I'll always celebrate you, and don't you ever forget that!"

They shared a look that only the two of them would understand.

"Come, Nathan, let's put them in water. I should warn you, Rosemary helped cook, so she and Lee are here too!"

As soon as Nathan entered the door, Little Jack bounded down from Lee's lap and ran straight to Nathan.

Nathan picked him up, kissed him on the cheek, then raised him high almost to the ceiling. Joyous giggles flowed throughout the house.

Lee laughed, "Well, I guess I'm going to have to get used to being second fiddle when Nathan's around!"

Nathan answered with a smile, "I think it's just because he hasn't seen me since Sunday."

After sitting down with Little Jack, Nathan turned to Lee.

"Lee, I can't thank you enough for all the work you did to deputize the men, gather the ammunition, get the stations set, and all the additional help you gave the Mounties. We could not have done it without you, Lee. I haven't the foggiest clue how I can repay you, but believe me, I'll be working hard to think of something."

"Oh, Nathan, that's not at all necessary. It was just nice to be useful. And boy, we pulled it off, didn't we?"

"That we did, Lee. That we did."

"Gentleman, dinner is served!" announced Elizabeth.

Nathan rose to take her arm. Lee found Rosemary and Allie to take theirs, and the men led the Ladies to their seats at the table.

Nathan continued to hold Little Jack, as it appeared Little Jack wasn't going to have it any

other way.

The dozen lavender roses had been placed in a beautiful cut crystal vase in the center of the table. They were stunning.

"Lee, would you lead us in prayer?" asked Elizabeth.

And everyone joined hands.

Lee prayed: "Dear God, we give deep thanks for the wonderful feast of delicious food that is set before us. We are also very grateful for those who have worked hard to prepare it. But dear God, we would be remiss if we didn't thank You also for Your Protecting Hand guiding us through the difficulties of yesterday and today. For that, we are most grateful. And we are also grateful that You brought Constable Grant and our beautiful Allie to Hope Valley and us. With full and thankful hearts, we thank You Almighty. Amen!"

Everyone echoed, "Amen."

"Elizabeth, Rosemary, Allie, this is magnificent. It is truly a wonderful feast. Since there has been little time for food over the last two days, I can't tell you how hungry I am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," and he smiled lovingly at Elizabeth.

She was glowing in the candlelight, but Nathan had a feeling, she might have been glowing without it.

"Nathan, these roses are absolutely stunning! You'll have to tell me your secret supplier," demanded Rosemary.

"I promise, I'll share Rosemary!" but he couldn't take his eyes off of Elizabeth.

"Lee, you do know I like lavender too!"

"So noted, Darling!" managed Lee in between bites. "They really are beautiful!"

As they laughed and passed the food around the table, Elizabeth also filled a small plate for Jack, but she had to make it look just like Nathan's for Little Jack to be satisfied.

Nathan started to feed him without taking a bite himself.

He noticed Elizabeth's concerned face, "Little guys first, they are growing, you know…"

Shaking her head back and forth, she just smiled back at Nathan.

Her heart was bursting with love for this man sitting beside her.

Over the last few days, Nathan had saved the entire Hope Valley community from disaster, and in the process captured the most heinous criminals known. But here he was, bringing her roses and taking the time to feed her toddler son when she knew that he, himself, was hungry.

When Nathan finally got to eat, Little Jack still refused to leave his lap. "That's okay, Big Guy. You've got your tummy full, now it's my turn!" And Little Jack closely watched him eat every single bite.

At the end of the meal, Nathan stood with Little Jack and offered a Toast to the three beautiful ladies sitting around the table.

"Every part of this Dinner tastes better than I could ever imagine anything tasting. Ladies, you have outdone yourselves! My compliments to the Chefs!"

"Here, here!" added Lee.

And the three beautiful ladies around the table beamed with pride.

"But, Uncle Nathan, you haven't even seen Dessert yet."

"Oh my, now I can't wait."

Allie grinned, "I'll get it, Mrs. Thornton."

Rosemary rose, too, "Why don't I help?"

And off they went, dramatically coming back a few moments later with the most delicious Peach Pudding Cake Nathan had ever seen and tasted in his life. Lee had two huge servings, but no one was counting!

When everyone was finally finished, Rosemary and Lee announced they were doing the dishes, so Nathan could spend some time alone with Elizabeth, Allie, and Little Jack in the living room.

Elizabeth and Nathan looked at them with gratitude. "Shush, that's what friends are for," offered Rosemary.

As they entered the Living Room, Elizabeth could tell she needed to first excuse herself to put Little Jack down for the night,

"Allie, you spend time with your Uncle, and I'll get Little Jack put to bed." She climbed the stairs quietly with Little Jack, who suddenly was very close to Dreamland.

"Uncle Nathan, I was so proud of you today. All the kids at school are still talking about it. They were so impressed, and kept telling me how lucky I was to have a Constable as an Uncle."

"I love you so much, Uncle Nathan. You're a Hero, you know, everyone is saying so," reaching up to kiss his cheek.

"Now, Allie, I wouldn't go that far. I was just doing my job."

"I know, but you're still a Hero, Uncle Nathan, and you're just going to have to learn to accept it." Allie countered in her most grown-up voice.

Smiling, he bent to kiss her and draw her closer to him.

"I love you so much Allie Bean, so very much!"

"I got my note off the door today," she said beaming. "It always makes me feel so loved to get those notes. That you would take the time to do that means everything to me, Uncle Nathan."

He kissed her on the top of her head, "I'm glad, Sweetheart, I'm so glad. But you know, we're going to have to think of somewhere else to leave them. I wasn't expecting Hope Valley to have visitors, unsavory ones at that!

"I know, under the mat!"

"That's perfect, Allie. Next time, that's where it will be."

With that Elizabeth came down the stairs, and Allie quickly announced, 'I'm going to go into the kitchen and help dry the dishes!"

"Well, that was subtle," whispered Elizabeth.

"Come sit with me." Nathan reached for her arms and gently pulled her down to him.

Nathan noticed that when he first spoke to her, Elizabeth seemed a little startled, but he had no idea why. Perhaps, it was his imagination. He was beyond tired, and he was afraid it was beginning to show.

Nathan and Elizabeth looked into each other's faces and could tell that nothing could stop what was going to happen next. Nathan reached to kiss her. The kiss was passionate, healing, and so charged with emotion, that finally, both tore away to nestle into each other.

"Nathan, I wasn't scared at all the last two days," Elizabeth whispered.

"You weren't?" sounding a bit surprised.

"No, not a bit. When you left to go back into town, God gave me peace, and I knew you were going to be alright. There was no worry. Not once."

"Oh, Elizabeth, that makes me so happy." he paused, then gently asked, "Are we really going to do this together?"

"We are really going to do this together." As she looked up at him, they kissed again, and if possible, with even more passion than before. She threw her arms around his neck and ran her hands through his hair. He held her and pulled her closer.

As Elizabeth continued to nestle her head on Nathan's shoulder, Nathan was being very quiet.

After a few minutes, she realized he had leaned his head close to hers, and had fallen soundly asleep.

She gently rested his head back against the sofa's cushion and tried her best to position him more comfortably. Then she walked to her large cabinet, grabbed her favorite quilt, and gently covered him with it. She bent down, giving him a sweet kiss on his cheek.

And then she whispered, "I am so proud of you, Constable Nathan Grant. You are an extraordinary Constable. But more importantly, you are a most extraordinary man. And it's that man I have fallen completely, deeply, and totally in love with."