Chapter 22

Elizabeth was busily packing for her trip to New York. She wanted to be done before it got too late into the afternoon because Nathan was coming by to take her to dinner later. He had told her he wanted to spend that last night together and there really wasn't any other way she wanted to spend the evening. Rosemary was standing next to her helping her decide what to pack and what to leave behind. She had a fancier dress that Rosemary had designed for her to wear for the book celebration and to anything else that might require one. It was a simple lavender colored dress, but with an elegant flare to it as well with the softly patterned lace around the sleeves and a v-neck design in the front that was tastefully and modestly done. The bottom portion of the dress flowed freely, swirling around her legs with each step she took. It really was quite stunning and she had decided that she was going to wear it for her dinner with Nathan before packing for New York. The rest of her clothes were simple every day blouses and skirts.

Despite the hesitations she was having about going and how it was affecting Nathan, she still found herself very thrilled to be visiting the bustling city of New York. She heard there were buildings there that seemed to reach forever upwards and that the streets were teaming with automobiles and people bustling everywhere. There were fancy hotels and fancy restaurants with Broadway Shows that she had heard were quite the spectacle from Rosemary. The thought of going to such a place sent a rush of excitement through her. As exciting as all that was, she still couldn't help but wonder if it was the right thing to be doing.

"Elizabeth," Rosemary called to her, "have you heard a word I have said?"

Elizabeth looked up at her, "What? Oh, I'm sorry Rosemary, I'm just thinking and trying to make sure I have everything."

"Are you sure that's really what's on your mind," asked Rosemary, "You seem a bit distracted."

Elizabeth frowned, "It's just that Nathan says he wants me to go and that he wants it to be my decision, but I'm just not so sure that it's really want he wants. He won't come out and just tell me not to go."

"Elizabeth," Rosemary began while putting her arm around her shoulder, "It is your decision to make and I think Nathan recognizes that, but he's also been hurt by Lucas and his affections towards you. From his perspective for a long time it looked as if you might even start courting Lucas and Nathan probably felt like he needed to protect his heart from that. I'm guessing he is feeling a little more of that now as well, even though he knows that you love him."

Elizabeth nodded her head, "So you don't think I should go, do you."

"I didn't say that. I think you need to follow what you know in your heart is the right thing to do and if promoting your book is that important to you then you should go, but just be careful with Nathan's heart and try to look at it from his side and reassure him what your feelings are for him. Make him feel like he is the only man for you and I think it will help ease his fears. Men like to feel that they are needed and wanted and in Nathan's case he just wants to protect you and keep you safe."

Elizabeth thought back to the night he showed up at her door to apologize and let out a small chuckle, "He said that to me not so long ago. That he just wanted me to be safe because I mattered to him. That was the first time that he ever expressed his feelings for me in any way and he left me speechless that night."

"I imagine that right now he feels like with you being so far away and traveling with the man who almost stole you from him that he is feeling a little helpless in being able to protect you and that might be why he is acting the way he is right now."

Elizabeth sighed, "I suppose you're right, Rosemary. I think I'm done packing for now. I have everything I need for both myself and Little Jack. I really need to get ready to for my date with Nathan.

"I'll wait downstairs for you. I really want to see this dress on you before he comes to pick you up."

Rosemary left the room and Elizbeth quickly changed into the dress and then looked into the mirror to brush through her long hair. She then pinned it up and walked down the stairs to wait for Nathan.

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Nathan was dressed in his blue suit and tie. He wanted to look his best for Elizabeth in hopes of leaving an indelible impression that she wouldn't forget him while she was gone and had a need to leave an imprint on her heart that she understood and knew just how very much he loved her. He had wanted to propose to her, but the ring had still not come and he didn't want to have that moment with her without it. He only got to ask that question once and he wanted it to be a memory for her that they would look back on for the rest of their lives. If the ring wasn't here yet then he took that as a sign that the time just wasn't quite right yet.

He climbed the steps to her home and lightly knocked on her door. He was picking her up and taking her for a private dinner with just the two of them in Bill's office. Bill had agreed to cook for them. He stood there nervously shifting from foot to foot as we waited for Elizabeth to open the door. He instantly looked up when he heard the doorknob start to turn and the door swing open. He stood there speechless unable to breathe or look away. Elizabeth was absolutely beautiful and he was stunned into silence. The dress she was wearing looked amazingly gorgeous on her and it outlined her figure perfectly. He couldn't take his eyes off her nor could he move.

"Hi, Nathan." He could see the blush creep into her cheeks at his reaction to her and it made her all the more lovely to look at.

He finally found his words, but when they came out they were barely above a whisper, "Elizabeth, you are so beautiful. You take my breath away."

Her face turned an even darker shade of pink, "Thank you, Nathan."

"Seriously, how do you ever expect me to let you go?" He swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat down, but the glimmer in his shiny blue eyes still revealed his inner struggle.

"I know, I'm struggling too. This isn't easy for me either and part of me doesn't really want to go, but at the same time I've waited for this for so long."

He nodded his head and looked down at his shoes while sliding his hands into his pockets, "I know and that's why I understand. I want you to fulfill your dreams even if it means we have to be apart for a while and I do trust you, implicitly."

Elizabeth sighed, "I love you, Nathan Grant so for tonight I just want to celebrate us and forget about everything else for a few hours. I want to focus on you and me tonight and just enjoy being in one another's company."

Nathan looked up and smiled at her and then taking his hands out of his pocket, he offered her his arm, "Shall we then?"

She grabbed the offered arm and he walked her into town to Bill's office. When he opened the door and guided her inside he could hear an instant gasp escape from her lips. Elizabeth looked around the room and slowly took it all in. It was spectacular. In the middle of the room was a table for two and two tall candles with flowers surrounding them in the center. The rest of the room had flowers decorating it everywhere and in one corner sat a phonograph. Nathan motioned for her to sit down and pulled out her chair for her before sitting across from her. They prayed over their meal together and then chatted idly while they ate.

While they were eating dessert the topic of conversation turned a little more serious, "Nathan," Elizabeth asked, "where do you see yourself five years from now?"

Nathan carefully chewed the last bite of his peach pie and then slowly wiped the crumbs from his face. He wasn't sure where that question had come from and he wanted to proceed with caution, but at the same time wanted to make it clear to her that she was part of that future. "I see myself still in Hope Valley raising Allie and working as a Mountie."

"That's all?"

He sighed and then looked straight at her, "I see myself with you and Little Jack. I think you're a huge part of my future, Elizabeth." He reached across the table and took hold of her hand, "Whenever I think about it, you're always in it."

Elizabeth smiled at him, "I see you too, Nathan, by my side."

They smiled and silently stared at one another, their eyes glowing with an intensity and desire that stole both of their breaths away. When he looked at her that way Elizabeth found it almost impossible to think and it would almost always send her head swimming.

Nathan finally broke the trance between them and standing up from his chair he walked over to the phonograph and started the music. He then walked back to Elizabeth and offering her his hand asked, "May I have this dance?"

Elizabeth smiled, stood up, and took his hand and placed her other hand on his shoulder. Putting his hand around her waist they began to sway back and forth to the music as he swirled her gently around the small room, his eyes never breaking their gaze from hers. He quietly sang to her as they danced. When the music stopped playing he softly cupped the side of her face with his hand and then tenderly captured her lips with his, slowly and purposefully drawing out the kiss with such gentleness and desire that it left Elizabeth completely unable to breathe. He could feel her legs go weak under him and instead of ending it like he should have he indulged a bit further with no hesitation from her. He finally drew apart from her and she held onto him afraid that if she let go her knees wouldn't hold her up.

Nathan wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as she laid her head on his chest. She could feel his heart beating and slowly their breaths synced together. They stood that way for several moments before Elizabeth finally spoke, "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I know," he breathed. He was unable to pull away and look at her, afraid that if he did he wouldn't be able to hold it together so he continued to stand there holding her against him, not wanting to let go. "I'm going to miss you too, but I'll be here waiting for you when you get back."

She finally loosened her grip and pulled back smiling up at him, "You better be at the stagecoach ready to kiss me like that again."

He slyly threw her a sideways grin, the type that made her melt all over, and winked at her, "You better believe I will be."

She smiled back at him and her heart was full, knowing that he would be waiting for her when she arrived home and there was nothing else she looked forward to more, not even her book deal.

To Be Continued…