Chapter Sixty-One
The Winter Day was a beautiful one, still cold, but crisp and clear!
Driving conditions were better than Nathan had hoped for, as it had not snowed heavily for two days in a row.
There was still plenty of snow all around, but by this time, most of the roads had been melted clear due to the constant churn from the traffic.
So far today, the traffic had been much lighter than expected, and Nathan and Elizabeth were thoroughly enjoying each other's company, as well as the scenic spots they came across along their way.
They stopped at one of those most beautiful spots, by the side of the river and got out to stretch their legs, but ended up in each other's arms instead.
"I'm so deliriously happy!" exclaimed Elizabeth as she wrapped her arms around Nathan.
"I am too, Darling. The day couldn't be more perfect. Except perhaps if it were just a bit warmer and we could sit outside to eat our picnic in proper style."
"As long as you're there, the car will do quite nicely, Love!"
He took her hand and they walked down the path to the water's edge together.
"We've got a huge snowfront coming in."
"How can you tell that?" she asked.
He tenderly placed his arms around her waist, and she leaned up against him. Then he took one hand to point her face in the direction of the northern clouds.
"See how gray they've gotten over the last half hour, and look at the water. It's rougher than usual, meaning we're going to have a lot of wind as well!" he explained.
"Darling, that means the weather is being very kind to let us pass through before it brings its storm."
"Honoring our passage. But, you know this means we're going to have a white weekend Holiday in Union City for sure, which makes me very happy. There's nothing like Union City decked out in it's Holiday Finest, with snow falling. You'll see, it's perfection, Darling! All for you."
He drew her to him, warming her and relishing in her beauty. Their lips touched and in an instant they were making up for all the many kisses they had wanted to share with each other during their long car ride, and couldn't. The water roared behind them and the sun was peaking through the gray clouds, warming them, shining its rays directly on them, as though it were celebrating their love along with the Couple.
"Come, Darling. Let's get you some food!"
They walked back to their car, hand in hand, ready to eat a bite or two.
Nathan opened the door for Elizabeth, making sure she was warm and secure. He then checked the hampers in the back floor board to see what goodies Rosemary had packed.
"We have sandwiches, a plate of fruit and another plate of fresh veggies. Is there room, Love?"
"We'll make room," and Elizabeth took the food and laid it on the seat between them, as Nathan jumped back into the front seat with their linen napkins, cold drinks and a thermos of coffee.
"Oh, Coffee, that's perfect.!"
"Let me pour, Darling. We'll have to share the cup..there's only one!" explained Nathan.
Elizabeth laughed, "Rosemary did that on purpose, Love. Her idea of romance! And not a bad one if I do say so myself!"
She took a sip of warmth and handed it to Nathan.
"Now, all is right in our world. Really good Coffee. Rosemary's very good in the kitchen, isn't she?"
"Yes she is! I think she's a natural. She never seems to have to work hard for anything. It just sort of magically comes to her!"
"Here's your sandwich, Darling," as Nathan unwrapped it and handed it to Elizabeth. "Looks like we have Roast Beef!"
"Oh, Nathan look at these plates. There's every kind of vegetable and fruit you can imagine!"
"Why does food always taste better when you're out like this?" mused Nathan.
"It does, doesn't it? I had no idea I was this hungry!"
They sat and fed each other the veggies and fruit, and the car was full of laughter and pure happiness because they were together.
Nathan reached back to one of the Hampers and pulled out two boxes, one full of Macarons, with every imaginable flavor, the other full of scrumptious looking Chocolates.
"Oh, we're saving the Chocolates for the road, but those Macarons are goners!" called Elizabeth.
"Choose your flavor. Never mind I know which one!" and he fed her the pinkish colored one that was chock full of cherries!"
"This is heavenly, but how did you know that was the one?" she asked teasingly.
"Come on, it's Cherries! Need I say more?"
And he kissed her crumbs away as she giggled.
"We better get back on the road. Here, you're in charge of the Macarons and the Chocolates, but you do have to share!" he teased and he quickly cleaned up their in-car picnic, leaving her with one last kiss before he took the wheel.
He prepped the car and pulled back out on the road, both of them feeling refreshed, and full of even more delicious anticipation about what lay ahead of them.
As always with the two of them, conversation was endless. And the silent times in between subjects were just as rich and meaningful.
"It's hard to believe it's just us, Darling!" Nathan smiled at Elizabeth wishing he didn't have to keep his eyes on the road. He could have gazed at her all morning long and been perfectly satisfied.
"I know! It's pretty wonderful, isn't it, Love?"
"That it is! You know I felt the same way when I read your book…"
"What way?"
"That it was just you and me, alone together. Your book is extraordinary Darling. Really extraordinary. Your characters spring to life from the page. You bring the reader along with you and allow them to experience every single emotion you've created. And although you take them through uncertainty, even pain at times, you bring them to joy. It's beautiful, Elizabeth. I couldn't be prouder of you. Your overriding theme is one of hope, redemption, and the joy of living. I want you to know, you are going to be a huge literary success. And there are going to be many more books in your future. Some will flow easily and some will be more difficult to write, but all will be needed, and you will rise to the challenge each and every time. You are going to leave your mark, Elizabeth, and it's a beautiful mark that will impact people all over. I'm just proud and so happy to be along for the ride, Darling!"
"You mean that, my Love?"
"Each and every single word."
"I read the entire book in one sitting. That's how good it is! And I promise, many other people will do the same!"
"I was worried that you might not want to be portrayed in it. Are you sure you don't mind?"
"My Darling Elizabeth, you bring me so much joy every single day and writing brings you joy. How could I not want you to share that joy? I'm honored, Love. Deeply honored! Just promise me you'll leave out the really bad stuff, you know the really embarrassing stuff," and he laughed.
"As if there were any bad, embarrassing stuff. I love you, Nathan Alexander Grant! With all my heart I love you! You know, it's you that's in my heart. Along with Allie and Jack!"
"Nathan, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course, remember, Jack and I are open books. We heard you like your men that way…" he teased.
"Well, my 'Open Book,' is Fordham University Press your Publishing Company as well as mine?"
Nathan looked embarrassed, "I suppose you're not going to give me a pass on answering this one, are you?"
"No, I am not, Darling!"
"Yes, they are. I've worked with them since my first book. And I'm so very happy you're with them. Elizabeth, they will always do right by you. You're in very good hands. In fact, they're considered to be the best, by most. And the people I've worked with, well, they're just good, hardworking people who love what they do. And they won't try to take advantage of you or lead you wrong. Having said that, I want the focus to be all on you. I'd rather them not know I'm coming on your book tour until we get there."
"That might be a little problem. When I talked with them last week and told them my soon to be husband would be joining me, of course, they asked my soon to be husband's name, and when I told them Constable Nathan Grant, they asked N.A. Grant? Well, needless to say they were over the moon!"
"No, Elizabeth, this tour will be all about you and your new book. And that's that, my Love!"
"But, Darling, with me being a first-time author, they are going to pare me with another experienced author anyway, and they prefer that author be you. I believe they said you would be their very first choice. Well, actually they said if you would agree, you'd be their only choice because you were one of their very best. Please, Love. I don't want to be paired with another author, and I can't do this alone. You know that."
"But Elizabeth, I write historical works, you write fiction. They're two separate audiences."
"Which is another reason they want to pare us. Please. Pretty please."
"Oh no, Lee warned me about those pretty pleases. Are you sure, Elizabeth? I would much rather be the adoring husband, because I will be your adoring husband, and I'm so very proud of you, Elizabeth. This should be about you every single moment, the entire time."
"Well, actually they said, the fact we would be newly married would create quite the buzz for our books, more so than anything they could come up with for advertising. Nathan, I can't think of anything I'd love more. Just think of it, the newlyweds on their Book Tour together! Now, that's a Honeymoon! Pretty please," and she tried on a pouty face to spur him on to a yes.
She continued in all seriousness, "This way it's about us, Darling! I would love nothing more."
"You've really thought about this, haven't you?"
She nodded yes vociferously, with a huge smile on her face.
He sighed, "You do know you're impossible to resist, right?"
But he was still in negotiation mode...
"I tell you what, you read something of mine first, and then you decide if I'm the author you want to share billing with. Deal?"
"Oh, you drive a hard bargain, Sir! The answer is yes, we have a deal!" and Elizabeth's eyes were sparkling thinking about how her book tour just became something bigger, better, and brighter than she ever thought it could be!
Then she thought, as insurance, she would appeal to his practical side.
"You know, that house we want is going to have to be pretty big to house all the children we want to fill it with, and that's going to take money, a lot of it. Why my wrap around porch itself will cost a small fortune if we do it like my Grandmother's. To say nothing of all the furniture we'll need. Wouldn't it be nice to have it paid for via our books, without having to touch our regular salaries?"
"You mean sell ourselves in order to pay for our home?" he teased, but in a serious tone.
"I mean sell our books in order to pay for our home!"
"I admit, that's not a bad idea. Even though I have more than enough money for the house and furniture. It would, however, be nice to just let that amount keep drawing interest and have the house all paid for with cash coming in. But, per our deal, read any of my books first. I'll even steer you to the trilogy that hasn't yet been published if you prefer that. I know that's what the publishers will be interested in. Read those first, and then make your decision, Love!"
"Will do, a deal is a deal! But, you already have a trilogy ready to publish?"
"I do. I just haven't had time to meet with the Publishers in person. I sort of got sidetracked over the last couple of years by this very beautiful Lady I know. But, everything is basically ready for that meeting," then Nathan laughed.
"I can tell you, if I could choose any author to tour with, it would be you, my Darling! Without a doubt," and he turned to give her a quick wink.
"I knew it! New York City here we come!"
"You read, first!" cautioned Nathan.
And they both laughed, as they often did together.
"I was also thinking, maybe you'd better see how this trip goes first before you make any rash decisions… You know, New York City is a very long way away! You'd be stuck with me for an awfully long amount of time."
"I think I'm perfectly safe to not even give that comment a thought! Except to say I can't imagine anything nicer than being stuck with you for a very long time, like maybe forever?"
He smiled back at her with his blue eyes dancing across her face.
"And about that beautiful little girl in your book who looked just like us, the one with the black hair and blue eyes, what was her name?"
"If you must know, her name was Colleen Rose, Love!"
"Colleen Rose, I like that very much, Darling!" and in one glance, Elizabeth could see love written all over his face.
"Elizabeth, how did you know Colleen had black hair and blue eyes?"
"I didn't, Darling!"
They gave each other a wan smile that said everything and Elizabeth scooted even closer to him.
They drove on together, in a rich silence. Now both dreaming about their little girl who had just leapt off Elizabeth's page and become a reality in their hearts and minds.
All on their way to Union City and the Mountie Ball…