Chapter 10

Nathan could feel the stiffness in his body from sleeping all night in the same position. As he slowly awakened and came into consciousness he remembered where he was and that he was still holding Elizabeth who was sleeping soundly tucked into chest. As his eyes adjusted he could see the light shining in from the outside and knew it was morning.

He smiled to himself, it hadn't been a dream and he had spent the whole night in the cabin with her and they had their first kiss together. He closed his eyes and he could still feel the sensation of her lips felt on his and it made his head spin just thinking about it. For the first time since meeting Elizabeth he felt like they could have a future together and he could picture, Elizabeth, Little Jack, Allie, and himself as a family, something he thought was never in his future.

He felt Elizabeth stir under his face, mumble something into his red serge, and then felt her hand pat his chest. "Wait," he heard her say still half asleep and then her eyes popped open all the way and she looked up at him with a slight smile. "Good morning, Constable."

"Good morning to you," he replied back smiling, "How are you feeling, Elizabeth?"

"A little stiff, but my head feels better and I'm content to stay here for a few more minutes." She laid her head back down on his shoulder.

Leaning his head onto her head he responded back, "As much as I would love to stay here with you all day, it's probably not a good idea and I need to get you back into town to have Carson take a look at that gash on your forehead. I'm worried about it getting infected."

She sighed, "I know you're right and I do need to get back to my son. I'm sure that Rosemary and Lee have been worried sick about us."

"…and there has probably been a whole host of people out looking for us all night." He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, "I bet you're hungry now. I wish I could cook you a proper breakfast, but I'm afraid all I have is the jerky and the hardtack. I did; however, manage to find a couple of apples as well."

He could feel her body shaking with a giggle before he heard it, "What's so funny?"

She took in a breath and shook her head, "You and your apples. They seem to be a recurring theme between us. Let me guess," she continued, playfully playing with a button on his serge, "they are red apples?"

He smiled, "Well of course, red is my favorite color and I do look good in red." He unwrapped his arms from around her and stood up, reaching down he offered his hands to Elizabeth and pulled her up and into an embrace.

Elizabeth put her arms around him and looked up at his face, "Yes, you certainly do look good in red."

He raised his eyebrow and swiveled his head, "besides," he added while tapping her nose with his index finger, "I thought teachers liked apples."

"They do," she answered back, "The last one you offered me was in the schoolhouse." She looked down at the buckle on his holster and then back up again.

He inhaled sharply, "Yeah, don't remind me." He looked at the wall over the top of her head and she could see a small flash of jealousy cross his face. "and then good old Lucas swept in and stole you away."

"Nathan, look at me." He looked back down at her, "You don't have to be jealous. I understand why you were before, but you have my heart and have for long time."

"I don't understand what I did to deserve you or why you even would want me. I almost feel like this is a dream and I'm waiting to wake up from it"

"Nathan, you are an honorable man and it's this," she placed her hand over his chest, "your heart that attracts you to me. You are thoughtful and kind and you have a heart of service for others that I just couldn't help but take notice of. Nathan, you are strong, dependable, and honest and all of those things are attractive in a man." She smiled up at him seductively, "not to mention that you are also very handsome and one sideways smile and a flash of those blue eyes makes my heart melt."

He smiled back at her before leaning down and capturing her lips with his. She was grateful he was holding onto her because she could feel her knees buckle slightly at the sensation of his lips on hers. He pulled back and almost in a whisper said, "You're beautiful, Elizabeth." They stood there staring at each other for a minute before he spoke again and brushed her hair back with his fingers, "We should probably eat a little something and then get ready to leave. I want to clean and change that bandage after we eat and then I'll pack up Newton while you change back into your clothes. Probably not a good idea riding into town with you wearing my clothes, although….," he smirked at her, "I wouldn't mind seeing the look on Lucas' face."

She chuckled and shook her head, "Nathan…..come on." She released him, "let's eat."

They sat down at the small table across from one another and after changing her bandage, they ate the meager meal that he had been able to scrounge up. Elizabeth grabbed an apple and bit into it and then sat their examining it, "red."

Nathan looked up at her, "Excuse me?"

"Well", she looked down at the apple in her hand and halfway smiled with a raised eyebrow, "red is also the universal color that represents love."

Nathan almost spit out the water he had just drunk from his canteen, but still managed to somehow swallow it and then began to laugh nervously with a shy smile on his face, unable to meet her eyes, "Um yeah, well I guess I would be lying if I said that hadn't crossed my mind." He then quickly changed the subject, "I uh, I'm going to go pack up Newton, your clothes should be dry so I'll let you change back into them while I do that." He then stood up, gathered a few of his things and the lantern and went outside to check on Newton and pack everything up. 'Love,' he thought. He knew he had loved her for a long time now, but was he ready to voice that out loud to her and was she ready to hear it yet? He shook his head and continued to pack things into the saddle bags.

A few minutes later she heard him tap on the door, "I'm ready, you can come in."

He opened the door and stepped through it, "I think we're all set if you are."

She nodded and then crossed the room and handed him his clothes, she then paused and looked around the room and back at Nathan, "Maybe we can come back here sometime."

He tilted his head and raising his eyebrows at her with a smirk said, "Well, you never know when we just might get stuck out here again…..alone."

She gave him a small nervous giggle and could feel her cheeks going red, "Come on, we better get going."

They both walked outside and he helped her up onto Newton before climbing up and sitting behind her on the horse. He then reached around from behind her and grasped the reins in his hands. "Comfortable," he quietly asked into her ear.

"Very," she relaxed into his arms as if she had always belonged there and then with a click of his heels they were on there way back down the mountain.

They rode in a comfortable silence for a while before Nathan finally spoke, "A guy could get use to this."

"Get use to what," she asked.

"Having a pretty girl to put his arms around." He didn't need to look at her to know he had caused her to blush, he could feel the heat from her cheek against his and placed a kiss on it, "Do you know how cute you are when you blush?"

"Nathan Grant," she exclaimed in an exaggerated tone, "are you purposely trying to make my face turn red?"

"Maybe," he flirted back. "I like challenges."

"If you like challenges then you might want to start thinking about how you're going to explain that we spent the night together, alone, in a one room cabin because people are going to talk."

"Well, we will just have to distract them by giving them something else to talk about."

"Oh? I suppose you have something in mind."

"Maybe."

She looked up at him and took notice of the twinkle in his eye. "Are you going to share that with me?"

He gave her a small grin and a shrug, "I..um…I was thinking that….what I mean is…"

"Nathan, are you always going to be this way with me?"

He sighed heavily, "I'm just not as good at expressing myself the way other guys are…or Lucas," he said under his breath. "I'm not as suave or debonair and I just find it hard to put into words what I'm thinking and feeling sometimes, especially where you're concerned. I'm always worried I'm going to say the wrong thing and scare you off or you're going to think how awkward I am."

"I don't need suave and debonair; tall, handsome, and blue eyes with a cute sense of humor and an adorableness about him that is endearing is all I need. You don't ever have to be nervous to say anything to me so I'm going to say this as nicely as I can," she paused, "spit it out Nathan."

He gave a small chuckle, "Ok." He took a deep breath and let it out, "Elizabeth, I want to make it official and I want to court you, that is, if you're ok with that."

He felt her suddenly move and sit up a little straighter and when she didn't respond right away he could feel his heart start to sink. Then he noticed her head start to nod. A small smile spread across her face, "You know what that means, right? That we would be dating with the intent of…"

"I know," he cut her off, "I'm not going to lie to you, I want it to head that way."

She looked down at his hands that were twiddling around nervously with the reins. She put her hand over one of his to still them and then softly spoke back, "I want that too."

"Really?" She could hear the surprise and the smile in his voice.

"Yes, really," she simply stated and then relaxed back into him once more.

"I don't know what to say, I'm just so…..so….happy right now." They rode the rest of the way back into town with idle chit chat talking about Allie and Little Jack, school, and just life in general in the small town of Hope Valley. Upon reaching the edge of town they could see a group of people standing outside of the café.

"I wonder what that's all about," asked Elizabeth.

"They must be gathering to go out looking for you. I think Bill and some of the others formed a search a party last night. They must have regrouped and are going out again."

"I was kind of hoping to not make a big scene," Nathan could hear the hesitation in her voice.

"Yeah, I'm not so keen on that myself, but I don't think we are going to have a choice. We have to tell them they don't need to go out again."

About that time Bill looked up and caught sight of the two of them riding back into town and then looked at Lee and pointed, "Look, there they are!"

"Oh, thank goodness he found her," responded Lee. Everyone else turned around to see the couple coming up the street on Newton. Nathan rode him up to where everyone was standing and then hopped off of the horse and helped Elizabeth down.

"Are you two ok," asked Bill.

Nathan nodded, "For the most part." He looked over at Carson, "Elizabeth has a small gash on her head, I think it might need a couple of stitches."

Carson walked over and stood in front of Elizabeth, "Here, let me take a look there." He tilted her chin up and then slowly removed the bandage to examine her forehead, "Yep, I'm going to have to stich that up, but I think two should do it so it shouldn't scar really bad. Let's get you into my office."

Nathan grabbed her arm and walked behind Carson, escorting her to the infirmary. Bill and Lee followed close behind after thanking everyone and telling them they should all go home and rest. Bill glanced back while they were walking and leaned over to Lee, "They are already talking."

"Yep they will for now, but it will dissipate when they find something else to talk about."

Bill grimaced, "I'm just not sure I like Elizabeth being the talk of the town."

"I don't either, but let's face it, people have been talking for a while now about her and Lucas and Nathan and everything else in between. Now that she is on somewhat of a clearer path regarding these two men maybe they will finally find something else to grab their attention."

"I hope so," Bill replied.

Bill and Lee stopped just outside of the infirmary while Nathan walked with Elizabeth inside. "You can sit down over there on the table, Elizabeth," said Carson, gesturing with his hand. He went to his cabinet, grabbing a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a thin needle, and thread. "All right let's get you patched up." His doctor's hands gently held her head up as he examined the gash more carefully, "Looks like you did a great job of cleaning this up, Nathan. There appears to be no infection. How did this happen?"

"I was on a trail and I got hit by a falling branch. I tried to move out of the way and I was almost successful, but it still managed to get me."

Carson examined her eyes, "Any dizziness or a headache?"

"I was a little dizzy to start with and definitely had a headache, but now it's just throbbing more than anything, but not too bad."

"I don't see any signs of a concussion so I think you're going to be ok where that's concerned. Let's get you stitched up. I think I can fix this so that it doesn't scar so bad and will be unnoticeable unless someone knows it's there." He smiled at her and then asked as he checked her heart and lungs with his stethoscope, "Did you spend the entire night outside in the cold?"

She looked down and began fiddling her hands and replied with a drawn out, "Nooo."

"So you found shelter then," Carson questioned with a curious look on his face.

"In an old hunting cabin," she answered.

"….and you were there by yourself all night?"

Carson suddenly heard a nervous cough from Nathan and looked up to see him rolling his eyes towards the ceiling and rubbing the back of his hand with his neck. Carson cleared his throat, gave a small smirk and continued, "I see, well I'm glad someone found you and made sure you were taken care of or this could have been worse. Your lungs sound clear."

He took the thread and needle and began to stitch up the wound. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Nathan go pale as he stuck the needle into her skin. "Maybe you should wait outside, Nathan."

Nathan gave a sheepish look, "I think that's a good idea." He gave Elizabeth a small grin and an affectionate squeeze on the shoulder and then walked outside to see Bill and Lee sitting on the bench outside the infirmary. They both stood when they saw him come through the door.

"Everything ok," asked Bill.

"Yes, she's fine on the other hand I needed some fresh air, apparently I can't handle needles. You were right Bill."

"About what," he asked, eyeing him curiously.

"She is definitely tough."

Bill and Lee both nodded in agreement. "So where did you find her," asked Lee.

"She had made her way into a hunting cabin that we had discovered a few weeks back. After searching for about an hour I remembered it was there and decided to check it. She was sitting in the cold dark room when I first walked in, but I heard her jump up before I saw her."

"The two of you spent the whole night in the cabin alone," Bill asked with a smug look on his face.

Nathan looked out into the street as a timid smile formed on his face and he shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah, we did."

The far off look in Nathan's eyes did not go unnoticed by Lee or Bill and they both looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Taking a deep breath and letting out a small whistle Bill added, "What exactly are your intentions with Elizabeth?"

Nathan looked back at Bill and then down at the ground, "I might as well tell you. I know how close you two are with Elizabeth and it's only fair that you be the first to know, but," he inhaled deeply and let it out, "we are courting."

A huge grin slowly spread across Lee's face, "Congratulations!"

Bill stuck out his bottom lip contemplating the news and then with a smirk said, "It's about time." They both gave him a clap on the back and then the door opened and Carson and Elizabeth walked out the door. All three men looked up at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth instantly got the distinct feeling that they had been talking about her and she gave them a peculiar look, "What? Why are you all staring at me like that?"

The three looked at one another shaking their heads and then Nathan spoke, "Uh nothing, just waiting for you. How are you feeling?"

"Better now that I'm all patched up."

Carson intervened, "I recommend that you take her home and let her get some rest. Doctor's orders. I will need to see you in a couple of weeks to check on that and hopefully pull the stitches out."

"Thank you, Carson," Elizabeth answered back. He nodded at her.

"I think we should get you home then and let you rest," said Nathan.

"I'll let you take care of that," replied Bill, "I have some work to attend to. I'll see you all later."

"Come on, I'll walk with the two of you back home. I'm sure Rosemary will be relieved to know that you are ok."

"Yes, and I need to get Little Jack. I've missed him." The three of them headed back towards the row homes. As they approached the Coulter's home they could see Rosemary come out of the house with Little Jack in her hands. She had been watching them approach through the window.

"Oh, thank goodness, you're all right. Elizabeth we were so worried about you. Were you out there all night long by yourself," asked a concerned Rosemary.

"We spent the night in a cabin. Nathan thought it was too dangerous to try and come back in the middle of the night with a storm brewing," Elizabeth answered while taking Jack from Rosemary's hands.

"We?" Rosemary looked back and forth between the two of them. "Well," she smiled mischievously, "I bet there is a story there."

"Rosemary….." Elizabeth said through clenched teeth and wide eyes. She could see the uncomfortable look on Nathan's face and knew this was not the time for that story.

She was grateful when Allie came bounding out the door and Rosemary dropped the subject upon seeing her join them.

"Uncle Nathan, Mrs. Thornton, you're back! What happened to your forehead?"

"Hit by a branch, but I'm ok. Carson put a couple of stitches in it and it should be fine," she smiled at Allie and then turned back to Rosemary, "we can talk later. I really should get home."

Rosemary nodded, "Ok, I'll come by and check on you later and bring you some dinner. You should go rest for now."

"Thank you, Rosemary. Say good-bye Jack." Little Jack waved at Rosemary and then she and Nathan walked next door to her house with Allie trailing behind.

Nathan looked at Allie, "why don't you go on home and I'll be there shortly,"

Allie nodded, "Ok Uncle Nathan." She then winked at him and added, "take your time. No rush."

He let out something that was a cross between a smile and a small chuckle and then gave her a gentle push on the back with a shake of his head, "Ok…go home."

They stood on the porch staring at each other and then Elizabeth asked, "Did Rosemary go back inside or is she still standing there watching us?"

He let out a laugh he had been holding, "She went back inside."

"Fair warning to you, be prepared because she is going to question me about everything that happened in that cabin when she gets the chance to."

He let out a small groan and tilted his head. She could still see the twinkle in his eye that gave away his amusement, "I think I just need to get use to being chided by Rosemary. It won't be easy though, but I know she means well."

"She does," Elizabeth agreed.

"…and I'm grateful that you have such great friends who care."

"They are your friends too, Nathan. Surely you know by now that the people of this town love you and care about you and Allie. You are a part of us now."

He smiled at her, "I know. I should probably go and let you get some rest."

"Yes, well I'm not sure how much rest I will get," she looked down at Jack and placed a kiss on his forehead, "but I will try."

"Elizabeth, why don't you let me take him for a couple of hours. I can watch him for you and Allie would love having him over to play with."

"Nathan that's very sweet of you, but I couldn't ask you to do that. You need your rest too."

"I'm fine. I'm use to sleeping in weird places and I couldn't sleep right now if I tried. Just for a couple of hours. I would feel better knowing that you were able to rest."

She looked at Nathan and then back at Little Jack, "I don't know…..do you want to go with Nathan and Allie for a little while?"

Jack pointed at the constable, "Natan…..," and then reached for him.

"Oh….." Elizabeth exclaimed excitedly, "he said your name!"

Nathan was grinning from ear to ear as he grabbed him from Elizabeth's arms, "Wow….he sure did. Hi there little buddy."

Elizabeth couldn't help but notice the shinny glimmer of joy in Nathan's eyes, "are you sure, you don't mind?"

"Positive, or I wouldn't offer. Besides, we can have some guy time, right little guy," he looked down and smiled at Jack who was already giggling at Nathan's funny faces.

Elizabeth's heart leapt at the sight of the two of them and a smile spread across her face, "Well, all right as long as you're sure. I owe you one."

"No you don't, you have already given me so much. It's my turn to help you." He shook Jack's little hand, "We will be fine, won't we."

"Thank you, Nathan," she looked at him with admiration in her eyes.

He looked up at her and could see that affection she had for him written all of her face and it made his heart smile, "You should go rest now. I'll bring him back in a little while." She nodded at him and then he leaned his head down and captured her lips with his. She reached up with one hand and placed it on the side of his face. He slowly released her, taking her hand in his he placed a tender kiss on it, said good-bye and then turned, bounding down the stairs of her home and off towards his while bouncing and playfully talking to Jack. She watched them and her heart just soared with the possibilities of their future together.

TBC….