Chapter One Hundred Four: Belated Valentine's Day for Nathan & Elizabeth
Two weeks had passed since the Avery Wedding.
All three Children were finally over their Measles, and the Parents had recovered quite well, too!
Considering…
The entire town had heard of Allie's near brush with death, and the Good Wishes were still pouring in from people on the outskirts of town.
No one in Hope Valley could imagine their town without the Constable's, now Chief Inspector's, spunky little Girl.
It was a scenario that simply couldn't be comprehended.
They brought food and they brought flowers and little trinkets as gifts for Allie, who was thrilled to see everyone!
By now all her girlfriends from school had come by much more than once, almost every day, in fact since she had gotten well!
But Robert and the boys were not about to be upstaged, and although they weren't sure just how the town's Chief Inspector would receive them, calling on his young Daughter, they had pooled their money, gathered their courage, and appeared at Elizabeth's doorstep, en masse, with new books about Queen Victoria, Ned Yost had ordered for them!
On this particular weekend, it was finally time for the Valentine's Day Nathan had promised Elizabeth.
And both he and Elizabeth were beyond excited. Of course, she had no idea what awaited her, because the surprises were all Nathan's.
But even though it had been a full two weeks, Elizabeth was having trouble leaving her two Children in Laura's care.
"I promise. We have everything we need. You and Mr. Grant go. Have a good time! We're perfectly fine here! And Mrs. Coulter said she would look in on us, too!"
Elizabeth was wearing her new Ranch styled clothes, which Nathan had had his Mother to have custom made for her to ride more comfortably in.
It was part of her Valentine's Day Present from Nathan, that he had given her this morning at Breakfast, along with her very own Cowgirl Hat he had kept hidden from her, which she loved!
"You're looking mighty spiffy, Lisbeth!" complimented Nathan. "As chic as a Cowgirl gets!"
"High praise, Love!" laughed Elizabeth. "With these clothes how could I not? I love them, Nathan! And they're so comfortable. I'll win every single race we have, now!"
"No, no, no! Don't even start thinking that!" warned Nathan.
The culottes were brown, the Western shirt was a deep rose and brown plaid, and the fringed leather jacket beige to match her Western-styled hat! And thanks to Madelyne, every single item fit perfectly.
She looked like a true Frontier woman, although a very beautiful one, just like she finally belonged…
"I have something else for you!" and Nathan handed her a package wrapped in White and tied with a Red Velvet Bow."
Inside the Package was a golden key on a gold chain.
"What's this?" she asked.
"You'll see," he winked. "But bring it with you!"
"Here, will you put it on, please?"
He tenderly placed the chain around her neck and kissed the spot where he had latched the chain together, then smiled behind her, because since the Children had been so sick, her focus had been on them and she suspected nothing.
They kissed and hugged the Children goodbye multiple times and finally headed out on Newton and Sargent, as the Children and Laura waved them off from the window.
"Nathan, look! It's such a beautiful day!"
And it was. The snow was all gone, and the sun was out in full force, warming the crisp air around them.
Elizabeth followed Nathan, not sure where they were going, but so happy to be doing it together.
Their last two weeks had been consumed with taking care of the Children and getting settled back into their Jobs.
Nathan had also been gone a lot this last week during the evenings after he had been sure the Children were okay.
Elizabeth wasn't sure if it had been due to work or something else, but she was just happy to be finally spending time with him.
Just to be together was everything.
Nathan had ridden ahead, as though he was scouting something, but after a while, he slowed Newton and met up with her so they could finally ride side by side.
After a while, she suddenly realized they were close to the Cabin! But how could that be? They were on a road. She was very confused. Because there had been no road, just a path!
They continued riding on with Nathan grinning, but not saying a single word.
As they came closer to where the Cabin should have been, there was just a Clearing.
The Cabin was gone!
"Nathan, does this mean what I think it means?"
He reached to kiss her.
"Let's go on!" he grinned lopsidedly.
Elizabeth was getting excited. If the Cabin wasn't here, that meant it had been moved to their Property on the Lake.
Nathan hadn't said a word.
Little did she know that wasn't the only surprise he had waiting for her.
She couldn't believe it, the path had been cleared, and the road actually continued, so that they could continue to ride on it directly to the Lake.
Nathan just smiled.
They rode another few miles and she literally gasped.
There standing before her was not only the old Cabin that had been moved but the most beautiful massive log Lodge standing just beside it, that she had ever seen!
"Nathan!"
"Happy Valentine's Day, Darling!"
The Lodge was huge, rustic, and breathtaking, and the entire structure, along with the old Cabin, was spread out overlooking Lake Granda!
She had never seen anything so beautiful, or so natural like it belonged there, but striking just the same.
"The Porch, Nathan, it's magnificent!"
"I was hoping you'd like that, Lisbeth! I did that just for you!"
The Porch was deep and it stretched all along the front of the Lodge, even turning around both front corners of the Lodge and continuing on both sides.
Nathan dismounted Newton and lifted Elizabeth from Sargent.
And they kissed in a way that said to both of them they were home…
This belonged to them, and it was going to soon be their second home, together, as husband and wife.
Finally, he grabbed her hand.
"Still got your key?" he smiled.
She showed him the key he had given her back home, that he had placed around her neck, and both realized she truly had had no idea this was what awaited her.
She was ecstatic, and almost in shock.
But before she knew what was happening, he had picked her up and kissed her, again, in a way she would never forget, with so much tenderness and enough love to fill the entire lake and more.
He then carried her up the steps to the porch, and then on to the huge front door.
There he took her Key from around her neck, and opened the huge door before them, carrying her inside.
"Oh my! Darling! It's spectacular!"
She kissed him longingly which he returned with equal longing, and excitement, to show her what he had helped create for her and for them. For their Family.
Finally, he let her down to explore! Which they did hand in hand.
There was a massive stone fireplace in the center of the room that reached to the top of the wooden beams above them. They were standing in a central large living area, with the large kitchen and dining area just off to the right, just as Elizabeth had drawn it. A massive open space that would be filled with love.
She ran to the hall, pulling him along behind her, and shrieked when she saw the many bedrooms and the Children's combined bunkroom and playroom along the back.
"Look! Everything's so big, Darling! It's the most wonderful thing I've ever seen! Why there are even enough bedrooms for our Parents! You absolutely thought of everything!"
"This first one's ours, Love! I made it a little bigger and added the little sitting area that leads to the front side porch just for you! It's a little more private."
"Oh, Nathan I love it! It's absolutely perfect! We can sit out and watch the sunset over the Lake! How did you ever accomplish this so quickly?"
"Lee brought an extra construction crew in from Buxton. We worked all this past week to finish the indoor chinking. It's ready for us to furnish, Babe! Happy Valentine's!"
"This is the very best gift ever! Can you imagine how much fun we're going to have here? And the extended Family! Oh, Nathan, they are going to love this. And so are the Children! I can't wait, Baby! I just can't wait!"
"Are you ready to order Furniture, Darling?"
"So ready, when can we go to order it?" she asked excitedly.
"Today, if you'd like. I have the address. That's the rest of your present!"
Elizabeth started crying, "How, do you think of absolutely everything?"
"I love you, Darling. But, I may have an ulterior motive." Nathan said sheepishly.
"What ulterior motive could you possibly have?" she questioned.
"The quicker we get this done, the sooner we start on our House!"
"Oh, Darling. This is really happening, isn't it? We're building our homes and getting married!"
"It really is happening. And yes, Lisbeth, we are really getting married. See, I told you the months would pass fast, and they are. We're already at the end of February, ready to start March, Darling! Just enough time to get our Hope Valley Home built!"
"And that means just March, April, and May!" squealed Elizabeth. "Just three more months till our Wedding! Can we really get our Home done by then?"
"Lee promises me not only will ours be done, but theirs as well. He's bringing in the second team of builders again for both houses. And if we fall short on time, possibly a third from Union City."
Elizabeth suddenly got an idea.
"Darling, can we have our Honeymoon here? I mean the part before we leave on our Trip? Just you and me alone together, here at our Lodge."
"I can't think of anywhere better, Darling," and he gathered her to him. "It's the perfect spot for our Wedding and our Wedding night. Maybe we can even work in a full week here first, just you and me."
The thought of their Honeymoon, with just the two of them alone together in this beautiful rustic place that was their very own, caused them to stop a moment, and hungrily come together in a way they had not been able to do so over the last two weeks.
"I've missed you so much, Lisbeth!"
"You don't know how many times I longed to just hold you and kiss you!"
So, they took a little time, now, and made up for lost time.
When neither could no longer breathe without effort, Nathan just held her.
And then whispered, "I may have another surprise or two for you, Darling."
Nathan started building a fire in the fireplace with some wood he had left there for that very purpose.
"Our very first fire in our new home!"
"And there's more," he kissed her as he excused himself to go back outside.
He returned with a blanket and a wicker hamper full of food.
He spread the blanket out in front of the fireplace and helped Elizabeth down to it, who had been re-exploring the rooms!
"A Picnic? Darling, this is perfect!"
"It's our Valentine Picnic, Love!"
He had brought two single Candles, and he lit them from the fireplace and placed them on the mantel in front of them.
"We'll just pretend it's already dark, Love!" he winked. "After all, it is our Valentine's Day!"
He then pulled out a single red rose and handed it to Elizabeth.
"I love you so much, my Darling. Happy Valentine's!"
"Ooh, Love! How beautiful!" as she drew her rose close to her nose, fully taking in its luscious scent.
Then he opened the hamper and started laying out the most gorgeous spread of food.
He had made Roast Beef, along with Horseradish Sauce, and had sliced a loaf of Homemade Bread. He had also cut several slices of different kinds of Cheeses for their Sandwiches and he had made homemade Potato Chips to go with them. For dessert, he had made her favorite Cherry Meringue, and there was also a bottle of Red Wine.
"Nathan, did you make all this?"
He nodded, but she stopped him by jumping into his lap, and fully bringing her lips to his!
"I take it you like?" he mumbled through their kiss while stroking her back.
"I love!" she mumbled back.
She finally released him, but just enough to uncork their Wine.
"To my beautiful and Forever Valentine," he toasted.
"To my handsome and Forever Valentine," she toasted back.
He fixed their sandwiches, and they began to eat.
"I can't believe we are actually in our Lodge and eating our Valentine meal!" she mused. "I never dreamed this would be possible!"
"Believe it, Darling, because it's real, and I must say so very wonderful! We worked so hard to make this your Valentine Surprise. But having the extra two weeks is what really made it all possible. I just felt we had to get this done, so we can concentrate on building our home together."
"I adore the sound of that!"
"I followed our plans, but Elizabeth does this suit? Is there anything at all you'd change?"
"Not one single thing! I love that the kitchen and dining areas are so big and open and that this living area is huge, which is perfect! I've never seen such a massive fireplace. It's stunning! Oh, and that massive, wrap-around porch. I think we'll live out there, watching the Lake!"
"Well, there are going to be a lot of people filling this thing! Everything you see came from our land. The stone, the lumber, everything! Even the flooring. Bill was so excited. He helped a lot! So did Aaron. Of course, Lee oversaw every detail! And Nathaniel was here every spare moment he had. I like it though, that I got to help build it. I wanted to have a big part in that, building it for my beautiful Wife-to-be!"
"Darling, your Wife-to-be couldn't be happier," and she kissed him again to prove it.
"It's built with a whole lot of love, Lisbeth!"
And she stretched to kiss him again.
"You can feel the love everywhere, Darling! Absolutely everywhere!"
They slowly fed each other their sandwiches and chips, till both were full of food and kisses.
"The only thing missing is music, my Love. We'll have to get a Victrola just for here," suggested Nathan. "There's plenty of room for dancing!"
"And you have to always bring your guitar, Love!"
"I actually have an old one, we could just leave here. So, I can sing you to sleep," he added with a grin.
"Hmm. I like that thought! Every night, you promise?"
"Aww, trust me, you don't really want that!" he laughed.
Then she fell back on him, and he started feeding her their dessert.
But truthfully, there was more playing and kissing than eating, which of course, that's exactly what a Valentine's Day dessert is supposed to do! There may have been as many cherries on Nathan's and Elizabeth's noses as in their mouths, but no worries, as they eventually got to where they were supposed to go.
You could say this Valentine's Dessert most certainly didn't miss its mark!
The fire was finally waning as Nathan had been careful to not build it into a raging fire.
"Let's go get this place furnished! What do you say?"
Nathan reached to put out the candles and all the remaining embers in the fireplace.
Then they walked through their new home one last time, arm in arm, making sure they went in each and every room!
"I absolutely love it all, Nathan. Every single bit! Thank you a thousand times over, Darling!"
"That makes me so happy, Lisbeth!"
And as they stood at their front door, looking out over their Lake Granda, he drew her even closer.
"Welcome home, Darling!"
And they left their home as they had entered it, with a long and lingering kiss.
This, their second home, had been built first, but with lots of love.
In fact, it was already full of, love.
Lots and lots of love…
They rode in a slow gait around Lake Granda, astounded at its beauty and size.
"Darling, see all these brown bushes around the lake? Nathaniel, says they're wild roses, and that they will bloom late May or early June, just in time for our Wedding!"
"Oh, Nathan! That will be so beautiful! I can't wait, Love. I truly can't wait!"
"Ready to speed it up? We've got a long ride to the Furniture Makers. It's beyond Nathaniel's house! But if you'd like, he said he would love to go with us, to be sure and get us the best price! They apparently do work for Nathaniel all the time!"
"I'd love that! Goodness, Nathan, we're talking about a lot of furniture to fill that Lodge! It's going to cost a fortune. Why the number of beds alone!"
"Our Lodge, Darling! And you, my Love, have a blank check. Order whatever you want! It's the rest of my gift to you!"
"And that's why you're much too good to me! But I won't refuse, although you may regret that blank check part!" she laughed.
"I'm totally at your mercy, Darling!"
They drew Newton and Sargent closer together and then took off at a side by side gallop!
"Race you!" Elizabeth yelled.
"Hey, that's not fair! You've got a head start!"
They rode and rode, loving every minute of it.
Newton and Sargent were glad to be out too, just for fun and their free spirits were reflective of their Master and Mistress.
It was an extraordinary day. Still chilly for sure, but the sun's rays beat down upon them, keeping them warm during their glorious ride.
They finally reached Nathaniel's luxurious home, and after hugging him, he showed Elizabeth in to freshen up.
"Nathan, how'd she like your surprise? From the look on her face, I'd say it was a smashing success!"
"Yes, Nathaniel. She loved it! I'm so happy we were able to pull it off!"
"Oh, I checked with my buddy about the furniture. And Charlie O'Toole is in today. Which is good. He's their very best. I had him personally do all my stuff! So, we're in good hands."
"Sounds great. Thanks for checking Nathaniel! Do you really think he can get it all done in a couple of months?"
"He assures me he can. They're going to hold off on any new orders till they do!"
"And that's as a favor to you, isn't it?"
"Maybe so," laughed Nathaniel.
"Thank you, Nathaniel. All of this is because of you and your Elizabeth. You two are the reason we even have the Land, Lake, and Lodge in the first place! We'll never be able to repay you, Nathaniel."
"You already have, Nathan. By being my Family! Do you have any idea how excited I am about staying out at your Lodge with my Family? Well, it's a dream come true for this old man!"
Nathan reached to hug Nathaniel, "Well, that's the easy part. Because you are Family! And we wouldn't have it any other way."
"You know, I'm still going to make sure that dock I promised is ready by June as well. We can't really use those canoes to full advantage without it!"
"Maybe we can tie it in to use as the spot for our Wedding Ceremony too."
"Yes, I'll build a beautiful rustic gazebo at the entrance, how does that sound?"
"It sounds absolutely perfect, Nathaniel! Can't imagine a better spot for our Wedding!"
Elizabeth came down from upstairs looking even more beautiful than ever!
"Oh, Elizabeth, I want to show you a Portrait of my Elizabeth," called Nathaniel, and he met her at the bottom of the staircase and led her into his living area.
There over the massive mantlepiece of the stone fireplace was an oil painting of the most beautiful woman Elizabeth had ever seen. She had seen a photograph, but it had been faded.
Her hair was long and deep black. Her eyes were blue, but a very deep blue, almost navy. And they were the kindest eyes Elizabeth could ever remember seeing. Her Gown was white and it flowed out around her as she sat in an ornate, very elegant, French-styled chair, watching her three children, who were playing at her feet.
The painting literally took Elizabeth's breath away.
"She's stunning, Nathaniel. Absolutely stunning! As are the Children."
"Yes, she was, my Dear, but then again, so are you!"
"I would have loved to have known her, Nathaniel," said Elizabeth longingly.
"You know, maybe we can still do that, Elizabeth. My Elizabeth kept a journal every single day that I knew her, and I've thought about it long and hard. I've come to the conclusion, I want you to read them, Elizabeth, so you can know her better! I think she would want that. Who knows what you'll want to do with them? They might even inspire you to write something. All I ask is that when you're finished with them, you give them back to me."
"Oh, Nathaniel, I would be so honored!" and Elizabeth ran to hug him. "And of course, I'll give them back to you. They belong with you."
"I'll get them together and bring them to you next week. But for now, we've got furniture to buy, or at least to order!"
"Just leave Newton and Sargent here. We'll take the Carriage so it will be easier!"
Nathan helped Elizabeth into Nathaniel's rather fancy Carriage and then jumped in beside her.
Nathaniel got in on the other side of her and took the reins, leading the horses on for several miles through Benson Hills, and on to the far side of it.
He finally reached a field that held multiple barn-like structures.
He stopped the horses at the largest one, where he knew Charlie kept his sample pieces and would be waiting for them inside.
Nathan lifted Elizabeth out of the Carriage and Nathaniel led them inside.
"Charlie?" he called.
And suddenly, an old man appeared with a bushy gray beard, and a prosthetic leg, but a smile as big as it got on his face. His limp was minor, as he had lived with his wooden leg for years and years and had grown quite accustomed to it!
His hands were leathered, calloused, and well worn. But looking around them, even Nathan and Elizabeth could tell they were the hands of an artisan.
One look and you could tell this was a contented man, one who loved what he was doing.
And although this was a display building, the smell of fresh sawdust pervaded throughout the entire space.
"Elizabeth Thornton, Nathan Grant, meet Charlie O'Toole, the best furniture maker in the whole Province, if not beyond!"
"Nathaniel, I'd better be the best! Since that's what my sign says!" laughed Charlie as he shook Elizabeth's and Nathan's hands. "I hear you two have a Lodge to fill!"
"We do, Sir. A rather large one," explained Nathan. "We brought you a copy of the plans, so you could see the dimensions to everything."
"Let's jus' spread it out on over here!" and he pointed to a massive wooden table in the center of the building.
"My, oh my, this thing is huge!" he laughed. "You weren't kiddin' me, Nathaniel. Let's see, eight bedrooms and a bunkroom?"
"That's right, Sir. We have a rather large extended Family!"
"Oh, that's the best! And I like that you're sharin'. People don't do that 'nough anymore, now do they? I tell you what. Let's start with this porch because I know that Lake and it's all about the view out there!"
"Yes, it is so beautiful!" agreed Elizabeth. "And I want people to feel like they can live on the porch, with lots of rockers and even a table big enough to hold us all for eating a meal outside. If that's even possible!"
"Well, Mam, I'm here to tell you with me makin' it, anythin's possible, even your ev'ry heart's desire! And it'll be beautiful too. More beautiful than anythin' you've ever seen! So, we want one big table on the porch or two?"
"I think one big one on the end in front of the kitchen and dining area, so we can take our meals out there together, and then lots of rockers or gliders everywhere else," suggested Elizabeth.
"Okay, let's do one oblong table here, with lots of short benches and two large end chairs. And two big gliders here and here, with lots of rockers thrown in! How does that sound? Gonna need a couple tables to go in front of those gliders too!"
"That sounds perfect, Charlie. I want everything to look rustic like they belong there."
"Mam, I'll be makin' them by hand and they'll be as rustic as you want 'hem! Heavy, too! I'll even head out to the Lodge and look over the lay of the house and the land, before I get started, so I can make sure, everythin' fits and looks 'xactly as it should."
"That's wonderful, Charlie!"
"Now, let's move into the livin' space. I can tell already you're gonna need a massive table for the dining area. What do you think about something like this?" and Charlie led them to a stunning wooden table with massive turned legs in the center on each end."
"I love it, Elizabeth!" suggested Nathan.
"Oh, Darling, it's perfect. It's exactly what I had in my mind!"
"Now, let's walk down this row, back here to look at dinin' chairs," instructed Charlie.
Elizabeth was like a kid in a candy store!
"It's either this one, or this one, or this! Which do you prefer, Nathan?"
"I love this one. It's rustic, but still detailed enough to be interesting."
"I think it's my favorite too! Let's do this one!" confirmed Elizabeth. "But, we'll need so many. At least twelve adults and…"
Elizabeth blushed as she looked at Nathan, who also blushed.
"And then of course the Children, we already have three plus Rosemary's one more on the way," she explained.
Charlie grinned and spoke up.
"And you two ain't even got started yet! I tell you what, I'll make the table the entire length of the dinin' area. And I'll make plenty of extra chairs for any future children there might be!" he added.
Nathaniel grinned at that remark, as he was ready for lots more grandchildren.
And the table they had just ordered was getting longer by the minute!
"Would you like me to make a big ole Hutch as well as some kitchen cabinets?"
"You could do that?" asked an amazed Elizabeth.
"Be happy to, if you trust me. But I can promise you it'll be the most beautiful kitchen in these here parts, apart from Nathaniel's," he laughed.
"Yes, I trust you!"
"That brings us to the living area," said Nathan, "which is massively huge."
"You know, Nathan, I was thinkin' about that. We don't have anythin' here to show you that would fit. But I've done a lot of work for some of them fancy hotels up North, and I've made a lot of really large sofas. Section…als I think they call 'em. I'm sure as shootin' I can come up with the perfec' thing for you! We'll jus' fill the whole room with it. The goal will be to make it as big as we can and fill the whole daggone space. And Mam, if you trust me on that, all you'll have to do is pick out the fabric, and I've got tons of samples for you to go through. What colors are you wantin'?"
Elizabeth looked at Nathan, "I know I want blues for our home in Hope Valley, if that's alright with you, Darling. But I'm not at all sure about the Lodge. What do you think, Nathan?"
"Why don't we let Charlie show us a few samples and see what we like?"
So, they did, and surprisingly, they both agreed on a textured natural fabric, along with two other earth-toned fabrics in bold plaid and coordinating paisley patterns, to be blended in throughout the room.
"This way, you're bringing the outside inside," suggested Nathaniel. "I think it works perfectly!"
They nodded their agreement.
"Oh, and could you make me a massive mirror framed in wood, to hang on the fireplace, so it will reflect the light from the front windows?" asked Elizabeth.
"Consider it done! Anythin' for you, Sir?"
"Maybe a huge rustic low table to place in front of the fireplace and sectional, I think you called it. With four big legs like the dining table."
"You jus' want a place to put up your feet!" laughed Charlie. "After you're done fishin'!"
"You got me. Not a bad idea at all!" smiled Nathan. "Because there's going to be lots and lots of fishing!"
"You've got that right! I'll make it big and sturdy! Even match the dinin' table here. Alright, follow me this way. Now you've got tons of beds to look at!" instructed Charlie.
They walked and walked, talking amongst themselves, wondering if each bedroom should have different furniture or should they all be the same.
"You know Elizabeth, it's a Lodge. What do you say if we just choose your favorite bedroom furniture and do them all the same? Then we can come up with different quilts and pillows for each," suggested Nathan.
"Oh, Nathan, that would be so much easier. This is just too overwhelming."
"I actually think it would look better, too," suggested Nathaniel.
And then Elizabeth ran ahead and shrieked, "This is the bed! It's perfect!"
Nathan caught up to her and hugged her!
"You did it, Elizabeth. It's perfect! Oh, but can we make ours just a bit longer?"
Charlie had caught up with them.
"I'd already thought of that, Sir! You're a tall one for sure! Consider it done! Do you have any other taller gentlemen who'll be usin' the beds?"
"Only Aaron and Nathaniel, but you know, it might be nice to just make them all the same. A little larger than normal. The rooms are plenty big enough," explained Nathan.
"That's a great idea! I'll make 'em all longer!" promised Charlie. "But not so long the sheets don't fit!"
"Oh, I'll find longer sheets if that's what it takes. I can't tell you how nice it will be to have a bed that actually fits!" promised Nathan.
"Now for the bunkroom, I'll just build in as many bunks as I can fit in along that far wall. And l'll be sure to make some smaller tables and chairs for the young'uns to play with. If you'd like I can add some built-in sofas along this here other wall, with maybe some bookcases for books and toys and stuff. How does all that sound?"
"Sounds perfect for the Children! They all love books! And there are an awful lot of toys too!"
"Oh, and Charlie, there's a smaller Cabin that's just next to the Lodge. Could you take a look at that and see what it needs too?" asked Nathan. "We thought we'd keep it open in case anyone needs to spend the night."
"Nathaniel, ain't that your ole fishin' Cabin?"
"It is!"
"Why that's a tiny little thing! We'll jus' throw that in for free!" and with a wave of his hand, he led them forward. "Let's jus' go to the front, and tally all this up!"
He "ciphered" for some time, as he called it, while Nathan and Elizabeth sat there holding hands.
"Wait a minute, Charlie. Let me see that first!" insisted Nathaniel.
"Is this the very best you can do? Why this is my Family here, we're talking about, Charlie!"
"Well, you should have said so. Here, let me re-figger that stuff…" he grumbled.
Nathaniel smiled at Nathan and Elizabeth, "You'd better refigure Charlie. You're not supposed to make all your money off of one poor young couple just starting out!"
Nathan had to stifle a grin, because he knew Nathaniel had greatly increased his net worth, just by the addition of the land he had given them. And Nathaniel knew nothing of Nathan's finances, or Elizabeth's! Well, maybe more so for Elizabeth's since he had now met her parents! But Nathan knew better than to interfere with Nathaniel, a master negotiator!
Charlie worked for another good ten minutes, then handed his "cypherin'" directly to Nathaniel for his approval first.
"Uhm. Hmm. Yes, this is much more reasonable, Charlie. Nathan, what do you and Elizabeth think?"
Elizabeth's eyes grew large when she first saw the total.
But Nathan just calmly looked over everything, and said, "Charlie, I think this is more than reasonable. Thank you! And let me just write out a check in-full now, if that's okay."
"Only on the condition, we make anythin' you don't like right! So, you be sure and tell us, you hear?"
"Let's shake on that!" and the two men did.
Nathan filled out his check, passed it to Charlie, and turned to hug Elizabeth.
"We now have a houseful of furniture officially on order, Darling! Or a 'Lodgeful' I should say!"
"I'm so very excited, Love! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is real, isn't it?"
"As real as it gets!" and neither Nathan nor Elizabeth could barely contain their joy, as Nathan lifted her hand and kissed it.
Nathaniel laughed, "You two are the sweetest! You know that? Thank you for that revision, Charlie! That helps us a lot!"
Charlie laughed too, "It's been a pleasure doin' business with you! All three'ns of you!"
But Nathan and Elizabeth were still lost in each other's eyes.
Suddenly their future was practically here…