Chapter 141: Couple Discussions

Elizabeth flew open the Passage Door as soon as she heard footsteps in the hall.

Then purposefully, without looking at her husband's face, threw her arms around him, quickly burying her head into his chest, preferring not to see the horrific damage to his handsome face.

They stood in the hall alone, as Grace and Madelyne shooed the fathers, and unsuccessfully tried to shoo the children, into the second Passenger Car.

"Daddy, Daddy!" called Little Jack, running as fast as his little legs would take him.

"Not till later, Jack! Mama needs some time with Dad first," called Allie, as she intercepted and grabbed her little brother's hand, pulling him toward his grandparents.

But Nathan saw and mouthed to his children "I love you both, I'm okay!" while trying to wink his good eye, which brought a smile from both of them.

Although Jack kept jabbering over and over about Daddy's bad eye!

"It's big, Awee! It's rilly big!"

"Sh, Jack!" admonished his sister, somehow knowing that's not what their Mama needed to hear right now.

Fortunately, Nathan instinctively knew his Lisbeth was not yet ready for words, so he just held her, and bent to kiss her forehead, checking the temperature so to speak, then slowly and expertly maneuvering his lips gently down to hers.

He was beyond pleased that her lips opened to receive his kiss hungrily, even though he meant it to be gentle.

But their kiss quickly deepened, this time initiated by Elizabeth, even though she was furious that her husband had been injured.

Which Nathan knew without doubt by the solid rigidity of her body.

But at least, surely, this was a good start!

Despite his wife's fury, they were home, and both knew it. With their bodies entwined, each of them forgot the discussion that was sure to come, relishing, for the time being at least, only in each other. Putting everything else aside for now.

Afraid to say anything, Nathan kissed Elizabeth a second time, this time more aggressively till she softened her stance, and began to physically melt into him.

And then they jointly kissed each other one last very long, passionate time, together, and for that instant, all was right in their world.

But when they pulled apart to breathe, Elizabeth's anger could no longer be contained, and it flared with full force when she couldn't help but see the full impact of his damaged eye.

She first gasped so deeply, that he turned his head, so his injured eye would be hidden, but it was too late!

"Nathan Grant, I am absolutely furious with you! Look at what's been done! Just look at it!"

"I'm sorry," he whispered, as he nuzzled her ear. "But I'm fine. I'm really fine, Love!"

"You certainly don't look fine! What am I supposed to do while I wait for you to get beat up, or shot, or something worse?"

"Let's go to our Suite for privacy. You need to talk and I need to listen," interjected Nathan, in a low, kind voice that reeked with understanding.

In spite of herself, that statement alone disarmed her, as she desperately needed to be heard.

And so, she sighed as she took his hand and followed him into their Suite.

Whether what she had to say was right to divulge or not, they were her feelings, and she had to master them if this was ever going to work.

They simply had to talk about them together.

"Do you mind if I lie down on the bed, while you talk? I'm afraid, I'm rather drained," admitted Nathan. "I promise I won't listen any less. I'll give you my absolute full attention."

"Of course not, lie down. Let me get your ice."

She walked over to the desk, where a silver basin of ice had been placed, and filled one of her own silk scarves folded over and over, knotting it around the ice into a pouch.

He watched her intently while sitting on their bed, trying his best to understand what she was feeling.

On their way into the Suite, he had caught a glimpse of himself in their mirror. And Eldon had been right. He looked quite the mess!

As Elizabeth sat down on the bed beside her husband's now stretched-out body, she reached to place the ice pack lightly on his eye, holding it in place, as he leaned back fully on the stack of pillows.

"No! Wait! Your mother said you have to sit up, so the fluid doesn't pool!"

At least she was determined to take good care of him, which made him smile in spite of himself.

She saw his tenuous smile, and couldn't help smiling too.

"Your silk scarf feels so much better than that rough towel Eldon brought me. Thank you for doing this!"

"That was exactly the point! There's no way I'm putting a scratchy old towel on that!" forcefully emphasizing the 'that!'"

Nathan noticed that sadly, she still couldn't even say what it was.

He took her other hand, the one that wasn't holding the pack on his injured eye, and he raised it to his lips.

"You do know I love you more than anything in this world, don't you?"

She could see the love in his eyes.

"I do! And I love you more than anything in this world!"

And even though she was still angry, he could feel the endlessness of her love.

Their love together.

She lifted her hand from his and reached to caress his jaw.

"I suppose I should be grateful that he didn't break your jaw," she mused sardonically.

Nathan made no comment as he just watched her inner struggle. He could see her huge torment, perhaps better than she herself could see it. But what was worse, he could feel it, and it sickened him that she had to go through this because of his job.

But short of leaving the Mounties, there was nothing he could do. He had hoped this new position would ease this worry between them. Although perhaps there hadn't been enough time yet for that to be the case.

"I know you are good at what you do, Nathan. In fact, I've been told over and over, that you're the best. By the Commissioner, by Bill, by Gabe, and by Aaron, as well as others. And understand, I don't want you to quit the Mounties, but I don't know how I can keep doing this without going to pieces. When the Conductor told me about your injury, I was furious, and sick and just devastated that I couldn't be with you. When I should have been grateful you weren't shot. But that's such a low bar, Nathan. I care when you have a scratch. I care when you have the slightest injury inflicted on that beautiful body of yours, that also happens to belong to me now. Don't you understand, it's so much harder for me to see you injured than it would be for myself to have that black eye?"

There, at least she had said the words!

"I'm just angry that this happened, and I have no say, no control whatsoever! I just have to sit and wait! And I'm not doing it well. I'm not, Nathan!"

She began to cry, and he could tell she was done talking.

Without saying a word, he pulled her to him, as she kicked off her shoes, and cuddled up against his chest, placing her legs next to his longer ones.

And then she sobbed, and sobbed, and sobbed.

He held her, never once telling her to stop.

He just held her, and loved her with all of his might, enfolding her into his arms, his strength.

They finally fell asleep that way, together, without Nathan having said a single word…

Bill kicked open the door to the Mountie Office, with a vagrant in tow.

"Aaron, got you one more! What in the world's goin' on at that Saloon tonight?"

"Sure been a live one! What have we here?"

"Another disturbance of the peace, public intoxication! And I must say, he stinks to high heaven! Where do these people come from?"

"Well, the cell's ready! Looks like it's going to be a long night! This way!"

It took both Bill and Aaron to get the stranger locked into the second cell, with their new charge creating such a disturbance that it woke up the first cell's inhabitant, who instantly started singing "Home on the Range," in a rather loud, and very off-key voice! (*112)

"Look at what you just did! Help us all! You, Sir, shut that mouth!" shouted Bill over the commotion.

"Sorry, Bill. Afraid he's beyond hearing anything!"

"We need cells with a soundproof rock wall around them!"

"Yeah! Take that up with the Commissioner!" laughed Aaron. "I'm sure that's going to be a go!"

"What gets me the most, after the day we've had, is Grant's relaxin' away on some luxurious Train Ride!" griped Bill.

Aaron laughed.

"Well, he does deserve it!"

"Yep! That he does! Glad he doesn't have to put up with any of this mess!" and Bill put both feet up on Aaron's desk, settling in. "Phtt! Lazing around in a first-class Luxury Suite, while we do all the work!"

"Hey, Bill, hadn't you better get home to Adeline? I don't think she's going to be too happy about moving into the Grants' new home alone!"

"Good grief! Why did you have to remind me? I was sposed' to help her move. She's gonna have my hide!"

"Hey, I've got these two covered. You go on home, before it's too late, Brother!"

Bill sighed heavily, as Aaron couldn't help shaking his head with a smile.

Bill liked to act like he was the boss, but everyone in Hope Valley knew it was Adeline Avery who was totally in charge on the homefront!

"On my way! But hey, Aaron, after a night with these two, you might want to take a bath before you head home to Felicity tomorrow! Just sayin'!"

"So noted Bill, might want to spruce up yourself a bit too!" laughed Aaron.

Reaching into his desk drawer, Aaron pulled out something with a laugh, then threw a bottle of cheap cologne to Bill, who in turn sat it back down on the desk with aplomb, nodding to their prisoners.

"Nah, I think you're gonna need it more than me…"

Nathan woke before Elizabeth, and as he lay there in their bed, holding his beautiful wife in his arms, he was grateful for the lull of the train, helping her to sleep.

He couldn't help but think about her earlier reaction, wondering what he could possibly do to make things better for her.

He knew waiting was terribly difficult, but he also knew they had to talk this out once and for all.

He had thought they had settled all this, at least as much as was possible, but it was now clear that more still needed to be said.

Perhaps 'more' would always need to be said!

Although, his swollen and bruised eye was definitely not going to help his cause at all.

Speaking of which, he realized his shiner was beginning to throb, as the tightness of the skin across his bruised and swollen face started tingling.

He had a raging headache, too, and this was the last thing he wanted to contend with.

But he loved Elizabeth with all his heart, and the pain she was feeling was because of him, and his choice of professions.

The thought of which hurt him much more than any physical pain he had endured this day.

He shifted his position, just slightly, trying to become a bit more comfortable, and then settled back in with his arms still around her.

He reached to lovingly snatch the lock of hair from her sleepy eyes, smiling at how lovely she looked in her state of dreamland.

He adored her so much.

She shifted, and he watched as her eyes fluttered open.

But looking up at him, she couldn't help but let out a shriek.

"Lisbeth, I'm alright."

"You don't look alright!"

"What's really wrong, Love?"

She sat up ramrod straight in the bed.

"I thought I could do this. But what if it had been worse? Nathan, I can't just sit around and pretend everything is alright while you're facing criminals."

"I don't expect you to."

"You what?"

"I don't expect you to sit around and worry."

"Then what is it that do expect?" she asked tartly.

He laid his head back against the enormous stack of pillows, and closed his eyes, trying his best to keep his head elevated just like the doctor has ordered!

Then he reached for her, and although he knew she was angry, she turned back to him.

He reached for both her hands and held them in his strong ones.

"Lisbeth, I have no right to expect anything. But I can tell you what I would hope for."

She melted a bit seeing the compassion in his eyes.

"What would you hope for, Nathan?"

"I would hope that you would have faith in me and my abilities. I would hope you would be strong for the children. And I would hope you would believe that I will always do my very best to come back to you."

She sighed and curled up beside him, placing her head on his chest, and wrapping her arm around him.

"Why is this so hard?"

"Of course, it's hard, Lisbeth. But with my new job, these situations will occur less and less."

"I know, but 'these situations' occurred twice today."

"They did. But that's a fluke. Don't you know, I had to step in? There was no one else. What if I had done nothing and that intoxicated man had injured himself or much worse, others? What if the criminal I arrested had decided to rob the train, and was smart enough to know that the real goods would have been found in the private cars? What if he had taken the children hostage? What if he had injured one of our parents? What if he had hurt you?"

"Oh, Nathan," she sighed with dismay written all over her face, as his points were very valid ones.

Ones she couldn't argue at all!

He cupped her chin and drew it to look at his face, injured eye and all.

"Don't you see, Darling? All those things could have happened. And I'm the one person on this Train, that is specifically trained to deal with these matters. The only one. How could I have done nothing and risked all those things, especially when it might have meant risking you and the children? To say nothing of our parents?"

She sighed heavily as he continued, feeling herself begin to crumble.

"I suppose you couldn't have. And to be truthful, I wouldn't have wanted you to have done nothing. It's just so hard…"

"I love you, Lisbeth, every bit as much as you love me. Of course, I know how hard it is for you. Sometimes that makes me want to give this all up so you wouldn't have to be afraid. But what if I gave it all up, and something else happened to make you even more afraid? I will always protect you, Lisbeth. And I will always protect the children as well as our entire family."

She nestled into him more.

"And I love that about you. But, Nathan, will you promise me, you'll always, always be extremely careful?"

"I do promise. With all my heart, my Darling! I am extremely careful. Always!"

"Then, let's…just start our vacation," she smiled tentatively.

"That sounds positively wonderful!" and with a crooked grin beginning to overtake his swollen face, in spite of the hurt it caused, he reached to kiss the wife he adored.

But their kiss was quickly interrupted by a strange knock at their door.

A very low, heavy knock and a much higher, lighter one.

"Come in!" called Nathan, hoping he was correct in recognizing that odd knock.

Within seconds it seemed, Allie and Little Jack ran into their parents' Suite and jumped up onto the bed with them.

"Daddy hurt!"

"Daddy okay, Son! My eye will be better real soon!"

"Are you really okay, Dad?" asked Allie.

"I'm really, really okay, Sweetheart! What are you two up to?"

"Grandma said if you were awake maybe we could spend some time with you before Dinner!"

"That sounds perfect, Allie Bean! Come here you two!"

Elizabeth scooted over to allow the two children to squeeze in between them, and that was when somehow, she knew beyond any doubt, that Nathan had done the right thing.

He had protected his family, as well as many others, and he had done it successfully.

Elizabeth relaxed, with pride beginning to replace her fury, realizing that now her only job was to show her wonderful husband how very much she loved him…

At the Grants' new home, Bill was a little more than hesitant to say anything, knowing he was already in hot water for abandoning his wife in their move.

"Bill, where in the world were you? I'll have you know, I've moved both our entire wardrobes, as well as other necessities, all the way from our house to here, by myself! Thank goodness Lee took me back and forth in his car and saved me from using that dreaded old wagon you left me with!"

"Had a couple of arrests, Addie. I'm sorry, Snookums!"

"Don't you 'Snookums' me!"

Addie sighed with her hands on her hips.

This was going to be harder than Bill had thought!

"I'm really sorry, Baby!"

"Well, at least you've made it for Dinner! Which is almost ready. You go get cleaned up, Bill Avery! You smell like a dead raccoon!"

"A dead raccoon?" he started to argue but decided on the safer route of retreating, as he knew she wasn't far off in describing the scent of the inebriated man he had arrested. "Yes, Ma'am!"

But he couldn't resist cheekily adding to that as he turned to go to their new bedroom.

"You think this is bad? Wait till Aaron goes home to Felicity after having spent the night with those two jailbirds!"

Addie couldn't help but giggle as she turned toward Elizabeth's stove, and the scrumptious meal she had made for her husband.

"Yes, William, given that, I suppose there are actual blessings to be counted!"

The dogs all watched Adeline curiously as she out and out rared back her head and laughed in her new 'borrowed' kitchen.

For tonight wasn't just any night.

Tonight was going to be a most special night.

A night of change.

A night of moving forward for the Averys!

Whether he knew it or not, tonight was the night Adeline Avery was going to fully call Bill Avery's bluff, and get her new house to boot…

The Grant Family was all curled up together, happy as could be when Granda came to the door to get the children.

They had napped the evening away, but were now awake laughing and playing together!

"Children, I'm afraid it's time for us to dress for dinner! Nathan, your mother says that you need your rest. So, Godfrey will bring yours and Elizabeth's dinners here to your room. No, no fussing! We insist!"

"But I hate for us to miss time with the children, Mother," insisted Elizabeth.

"There will be plenty of time for that tomorrow. Your husband needs to rest tonight! Come, Children!"

"Dad, may we see you after dinner?" asked Allie.

"Absolutely. You two eat your dinner and mind Granda!" ordered Nathan with a wink.

The three exited with Elizabeth's mouth still open.

"What is it, Love?"

"I'm afraid I'm just not quite used to this maternal Mother of mine! Although it is indeed lovely to see!"

"You know what I think is lovely to see? My beautiful wife! Since we're dining in, I think I'll take a bath and change into more suitable attire!"

"You stay there! I'll get everything ready! And Nathan, I'm so sorry I overreacted! I truly am. Can you forgive me?"

"Nothing to forgive. You didn't overreact, Lisbeth. Whatever you feel, whenever you feel it, is important to me. Whatever you feel is valid. Always tell me how you feel, my Darling!"

"I will, but I also need to do better. And I promise you, I will try with all my might!"

"That's my Girl! That's all I can ever ask…"

Adeline stood back after she lit the candles on the Grant's dining room table, and smiled knowingly, as Bill walked into the room.

"My, you clean up nice, Husband!"

"You look beautiful, Addie! Real beautiful. And dinner looks spectacular. Did I miss a special occasion? Is it your birthday?"

Bill wasn't at all wrong, as Adeline was beaming! But he was absolutely clueless as to what was about to happen. Totally oblivious to the fact that his world was about to change forever.

"No, you Old Goat, this is our first dinner in our borrowed house! Isn't it beautiful, Bill?"

"It's rather grand if you ask me. At least a bit! But perfect for the new Grant Family!" he quickly interjected.

"I think it's perfect for them, and for us!"

Bill choked on the sip of coffee he had stolen from the dining hutch.

"Uh, you need any help?" asked the already confused husband. "Carrying things in from the kitchen, I mean?"

"No, Love! Everything's already here. But you can follow me into the kitchen!"

"Addie, there's more food here too!"

"Just the extras! Perfect leftovers for tomorrow! Was just finishing feeding Prince Charming and Cinderella. And now Rex, Reggie, and Benjie! Here you go, Boys! Thank goodness they've welcomed Benjie!"

"The Grant boys do look a bit sad, though, Addie!"

"Of course, they look sad, Bill! They miss Allie and Little Jack!"

"As do we all, guys!" Bill stooped to ruffle Rex's and Reggie's fur, as Benjie licked his face.

Although Bill had bought Benjie as Adeline's dog, he was just as crazy about him, if not even crazier.

In Bill's eyes, Benjie did no wrong! The little guy even slept at Bill's feet, and his master was even talking about getting him a couple of playmates. But that was before they, well Adeline, had agreed to housesit for the Grants all summer long.

"Now that the boys are fed, how about I get my Big Boy fed?" laughed Adeline, as she wrapped her arm around her husband's waist.

Bill winked and nuzzled his wife's neck with kisses, as he, in turn, placed his arm around her waist.

"To the Dining Room, Ma'am!"

As they stepped into the formal eating room together, Bill's eyes widened, fully taking in the scene as his wife removed the covers from the food.

"Addie, you've gone all out! This is some meal!"

"A special treat for my Darling Husband!"

Now, Bill was still too much of a newlywed to realize exactly what that meant!

So, Bill innocently, and very excitedly, seated his wife, as mesmerized, he looked forward to the feast before him, especially as they were all his favorites.

"My, Addie, this is the best lookin' roast I've seen!"

Addie just smiled.

"Wait till you taste these special potatoes! They're called Duchess Potatoes. Only the best for my husband!"

"And the Corn Pudding, and the Roasted Carrots, and the…"

"Why don't you lead our prayer, Sweetheart?"

Yes, Adeline had done her job very well indeed.

She had set the stage perfectly.

Just looking at the feast before him, Bill's stomach was already a goner!

Now she just had to work on the rest of him…

Although his eye was hurting, Nathan was thankful for his bath. It had been a long day, and earlier, a very physical one.

His muscles had been hurting worse than he had realized until he felt the soothing hot water against his skin, and it was only then that he began to relax.

He sunk into the bubbles his wife had made, insisting they'd help to relax him.

Bubble baths he was not at all used to, at least not before Elizabeth.

But his lips twisted into a slight smile, as he realized that was a most pleasant, although unexpected, nuance his marriage had brought.

Muscles soothed, and ready for their evening, Nathan reluctantly stepped out of the tub, grabbed a towel to wrap around his waist, and knotted it securely.

He then moved to stand at the tiny sink to shave.

But after two gentle swipes, he could tell his swollen face was going to prevent shaving altogether!

At least for the time being.

Elizabeth had hung his pajamas and robe on the door, or at least he thought she had.

But as he glanced up, they were nowhere in sight.

"Lisbeth!" he called.

But she didn't answer.

He opened the door and looked around the suite, but his wife was nowhere to be found.

Tired, he laid down as he was, on their bed to rest his throbbing head…

"Addie, this is the best meal I think I've ever had in my life!"

"Good, that's exactly what I intended, Sweetheart! I'm glad you're enjoying it!"

Bill still hadn't gotten the message that there was indeed a reason for this extravagant meal of all his favorites.

But Adeline determined to be gentle.

"Bill, you know I was talking to Mrs. Kenzie yesterday, and she was telling me the most interesting things about the lay of the land in this part of Hope Valley."

"She was?"

Bill looked up from his plate, a bit warily for the first time tonight.

Mrs. Kenzie knew everything there was to know about Hope Valley, specifically who owned what land.

"Yes, she knows all about the land of Hope Valley. You know, Bill, I was wondering about the lot past the creek. The lot next door! It's a beautiful lot. Just perfect for building. And who could possibly make better neighbors for us than the Grants?"

Bill choked completely on his Sweet Tea, this time around. A delicacy Adeline had learned to make from her Southern relatives. And one of Bill's favorite drinks of all time, discounting his whiskey, of course!

Poor Adeline had had her eye on that land since the Coulters and Grants had built, not knowing it was her husband who owned it.

And as far as Bill was concerned, that was exactly the way he intended to keep it!

When he collected himself, he somehow strangled out a few words of slight discouragement, as he had always done!

So far he had been able to hide the fact that he owned the land.

"I suppose so. If we were in need of a new house that is! But, Addie, with just the two of us, Darlin', we're fine right where we are!"

"We are, are we?"

Oh, if Bill were only attuned to his wife's tone, he might have had a warning!

"Of course," he laughed. "Why we already have more room than we know what to do with! And I don't want you spendin' all your time cleanin' a big old house that's not needed!"

There, that should get him points!

"That's sweet, Honey! But Mother is visiting this fall. And I thought since she's your favorite person in the world, I might just nudge her to stay. That is if she likes Hope Valley!" mentioned Addie casually between bites.

"St…sta…stay? Wi…with…us?"

"Yes, you know how Mother is all alone. And she is getting up there in years, Bill. Surely you wouldn't want her to be all alone forever? Not as famously as the two of you get along! Why, what if she were to get sick? Who would care for her? I suppose I could go stay with her if the need arises. But that's a long way away, and then what would that mean for you and Benjie? I'd feel terrible leaving you two here all alone!"

Bill cleared his throat, not sure he liked either prospect.

"And we're still young, Bill. Why we might even want to adopt! I've always wanted a house full of children!"

Bill was out and out coughing.

"We talked about this, Bill! Remember? And you agreed! Lillian says they are always in need of good foster parents. And who's better than a Judge? So, I bit the bullet and signed us up, just like you suggested!"

"You signed us up? What for?"

"Foster parents, Silly! Just like you said we should!"

When had Adeline ever said anything about children? Or her mother coming to live with them for that matter? Was he daft? Had he lost his mind?

Had his mind addled?

What was happening? He needed to think quickly, but before he could gather himself, she hit him with another whammy. And it was a good one.

"You know, Bill, the Hudson's eldest daughter, Emmie, has decided, after all, to not go to college. But she does need a steady job. So, I hired her!"

"You…you…hire…hired her? What the blazes for?"

"Why, to help me with the housework and the cooking. She's an excellent gardener too! As well as a seamstress! I'm so sorry, Dear! The women were positively fighting over her, so, I couldn't possibly take a chance on losing her! Besides, Mother might need a companion when she comes to live with us! Also since I'm working, I might need help with the children!"

"The what?" he choked. Suddenly, her mother's staying with them was looking better and better!

"You're always saying we don't need a bigger house, Dear! I merely am pointing out to you why we actually do need a much bigger house! And I haven't even mentioned Benjie's need for future playmates! I also don't understand if Lee and Rosemary, along with Nathan and Elizabeth have cats and kittens, why we can't too! You know how I love animals! And Benjie would be so happy to have friends! Of course, along with the chickens we'll have!"

Bill furrowed his brow, trying his best to regain some semblance of control, although Addie serenely knew that ship had sailed long ago!

She had more if need be.

Much more.

"You know I heard a rumor from Mrs. Kenzie yesterday that the land next door is being looked at closely by the Bouchards! And you know how Lucas is when he sets his mind to something!" she looked down at her plate, then added innocently and succinctly, "He gets it!"

"Well, he's not getting this!" declared Bill, as he pounded both his hands on Elizabeth's new table.

"Bill, Mrs. Kenzie was certain. I'd hardly question her authority. She's never wrong, you know!"

"Well, she is this time!" Bill vehemently insisted.

"You know, that's the land I've wanted since we married. It's just perfect for us. But I'm afraid I don't even know who owns it! Imagine that. All this time in Hope Valley, and it's still a mystery."

Addie glanced up to closely watch Bill's reaction.

Yes, he was already squirming in his chair, with downcast eyes.

Just a few more pushes and she would be there!

"Wonder who owns it, Sweetheart?" she asked inquisitively.

Bill was hanging his head lower and lower on this one.

"You don't know? I thought you knew about all the land around these parts. But I suppose I can go into town tomorrow and do my own research. Is it okay if I come by your office, say, around ten in the morning to peruse the land claims? I'll bring you some pastries as a mid-morning snack!"

"That er…won't be…necessary, Adeline!"

"It won't," she asked innocently."Why not? I mean you certainly don't want Lucas to swoop in and take the land right out from under us!"

"I…own the land, Adeline!"

There, the long-known admission she had worked so hard for!

The loud words had come out a little more, well, a lot more forcefully than Bill had intended, but the message had been received.

Everything was now out in the open.

Even Bill Avery knew at this point, what he was going to have to do to save himself from Adeline's sure-to-come anger.

Although she brilliantly was displaying no such thing.

"You don't say!" although of course, Addie had done her homework and already knew this piece of brilliant information.

She just had to get her husband to admit it!

And he just had!

'My, she's taking this well!' surmised Bill. "Hmph! At least she hasn't shot me yet!"

"Why, Bill Avery! That's just the best news ever! I knew I felt at home on that land! Now I know why!"

So sweet, but next she went for the jugular!

"When should we start building, Darling?" she asked excitedly, so excitedly that Bill had to bite his lip, as even he knew anything but a very quick affirmative would break his wife's very set heart. And put him in a doghouse that wouldn't be nearly as nice as Benjie's!

After weighing his ever-dwindling options, Bill garnered enough courage to respond.

"I suppose…I…suppose…we…could start…"

"Yes, Bill?"

"This…this coming…week," he gasped as though he was begging for air. "As we will be living next door, anyway! But…but, Addie, just because it's a big lot, doesn't mean we have to build a big house! Maybe something just a tiny bit bigger than what we have now?"

Although the comment was hopeless, Bill was completely broken when thinking of the inevitable!

And so, Bill succumbed to his wife's forcefully sweet charms, and sighed heavily, simply knowing he had lost. Although actually, he hadn't even known there was a battle! Much less a war!

And that sigh would be Judge Bill Avery's last feeble attempt at strategizing.

"That's wonderful, Dear! But as for the size of the house, well, as you said it's a very big lot," agreed Adeline sweetly. "And you and I both know, Sweetheart, that requires a substantial house! Why it has to balance with Lee's and Rosemary's and Nathan's and Elizabeth's houses. Right?"

Bingo, he had just capitulated that they'd build on this perfect lot that already belonged to him. What had he done?

She was thrilled.

He was chagrined.

If Adeline had her way, their new brand-new, big home would be completed before they even had to leave the Grants' home this coming fall, and Bill knew it!

Yes, apparently Bill's Addie had just sweetly wormed her way into having everything she ever wanted.

Why, unknown to her husband, she already had a selection of three sets of plans for them to choose from!

'Bill still doesn't know what just hit him,' mused Addie, as she smiled ever so sweetly at her adoring husband.

"Ready for dessert, Darling?" and with a brilliant smile, she stood to excuse herself to the kitchen, where Bill's favorite Cherry Pie was waiting in the oven.

With home churned Vanilla Ice Cream waiting on ice!

Just in case the deal had needed sweetening.

'But it went flawlessly,' mused Adeline again, as she cut the pie, and smiled.

Apparently, some men just need a little nudge…

"Wake up, Darling! Dinner is served!"

Nathan opened his eyes, well, as much as he could.

"Candles, Mrs. Grant?"

"Candles, Mr. Grant! Here, let's get you into your, er, pajamas and robe!"

Nathan laughed, having forgotten he was still in his towel.

"I suppose I had better make myself decent!"

"I don't know, you look pretty decent to me!"

He reached and kissed his wife's forehead.

"Forgive my stubble!"

"I love your stubble! Here, give me your arm!" and she wrapped his silk pajama top around him, inserting both arms, then carefully buttoning each button, just as she would have done so for Little Jack.

But oh, what a different feeling! Interspersed of course with lots of random couple kisses in between!

Her husband then pulled on his bottom silk trousers, as she laughingly removed his towel.

Smiling, he reached for his robe.

"Got to offer some semblance of decorum, for the elegant Mrs. Grant!"

"Here," she winked, helping him on with his robe. "You look quite elegant!"

She reached up to kiss him mischievously and then led him to their table.

"Godfrey helped me set this up. But I selected the menu!"

"I can't wait! What exotic dish awaits?"

She giggled, and threw open the silver domed platter with a flourish, worthy of Godfrey!

"Meat Loaf? I love it!" laughed Nathan.

"Your mother said you always wanted Meat Loaf when you got sick. So, Meat Loaf, it is, my Darling! But believe me, the Train's Chef had to be mightily nudged! I think your Mother may have made it herself!"

"Oh, I imagine she did! Mashed potatoes too! Yes, her name's written all over these! My favorite soothing comfort meal!"

"We aim to please, Sir!"

With a dreamy look in his eyes, he took her into his arms.

"You please me in every way, my Lady!"

"As do you, my Lord!"

But as their lips touched, behind her back, Elizabeth surreptitiously slipped the warming dome back over Nathan's meal, instinctively knowing that their special candle-lit comfort meal would be somewhat delayed.

Make that very delayed.

Outside, the dark, moon-lit starry skies romantically flitted by the couple, though neither seemed in the least concerned about their food or their surroundings.

As Nathan gathered his wife into his arms, both quickly lost themselves in each other, effortlessly creating their own galaxy of stars in this universe of love that belonged to them alone…

(*112) 'Home on the Range,' Composer Daniel E. Kelley; Lyricist Brewster M. Highley; published before 1874, Public Domain