Nathan knocked on Elizabeth's door on Wednesday fifteen minutes before noon, mentally preparing himself for lunch with Lucas. He'd had four days to get used to the idea.

He still didn't like it. But he was committed to it for Elizabeth's sake.

He couldn't figure out why she wanted him and Lucas to be friends. They were too different. But Elizabeth saw potential there, and he had learned to never underestimate the woman he loved.

The door opened, and Elizabeth smiled at him. "Hi Nathan. Come in." She stepped back, allowing him room to enter. Noticing the pages he was holding in his hands, she looked up at him, something like nervousness on her face. "What did you think of the chapters?" There was a note of hesitation in her voice, vulnerability in her eyes, and he knew why. She had poured her heart into her story, and it had given him a deeper look into who she was.

He smiled, taking her face in his hands and leaning down to kiss her gently. He lingered for several moments, then drew back, gazing into her eyes. "I think you wrote with your heart, Elizabeth. It gave me insight into who you are and just how much you care for those in your life." His eyes twinkled, and he was unable to resist teasing her. "And I noticed some of your characters bore a resemblance to people here in Hope Valley." He raised a brow. "Luther Brant, for instance. Seemed very familiar. Reminded me of two men in particular, actually."

He watched as a light blush tinged Elizabeth's cheeks. "Well...it is just fiction…" she said, stammering slightly over her words.

Nathan hid a smile. "You wrote these initial chapters while you were still confused about your feelings between me and Lucas, didn't you?"

She looked like she was about to deny it, but then laughed instead. "As much as I want to deny it, yes, you're right. Luther Brant was an unintentional combination of you and Lucas."

His brows shot up. "You didn't do that on purpose?"

Elizabeth shook her head. Nathan smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "You see? Your heart is so invested in your writing, the characters reflect you and those around you even though you don't intend them to. That also tells me how invested you are in Hope Valley and your friends and family." He grinned. "And Elsa's little boy reminds me exactly of little Jack." Studying her for a moment, he asked the question that had been nagging at him for the past several days as he read her work. "You said at breakfast on Saturday that Lucas and I both inspired your writing. As much as I'd love to be able to take credit, I don't remember ever doing that."

Elizabeth lifted a hand to his cheek. "But you did, Nathan. That day on the dock. I was ready to give up writing, to accept that it was just a dream. Then you came along and changed that."

"I did?"

"Yes, you did," Elizabeth said, settling her hands on his shoulders. "I said that the best writing supposedly came from the heart, and then you asked me what was in my heart. Right then, I knew." She smiled. "My son, this town, the people in it. I knew I had to write a novel about Hope Valley, though I didn't consciously know it at the time. And that was all thanks to you." She smiled coyly. "I don't suppose you noticed that Luther ended up more and more like you as the story went on?"

Nathan laughed. "I might have noticed. But didn't you just say it's only fiction?"

"Everyone knows fiction has a thread of real life running through it," Elizabeth said with a wink.

That wink made his heart beat faster. He leaned down, kissing her again. Pulling away reluctantly, he took a deep breath. "I suppose we'd better get going, or we're going to be late. Though there's still time to back out," he said, a hopeful note in his voice as he released Elizabeth from his arms.

She chuckled, picking up her basket from the table. "We are not backing out." She linked an arm through his and reached up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "It'll be fine, Nathan. Just relax."

Lucas couldn't ever remember feeling less relaxed. Elizabeth and Nathan had joined him at a table exactly at noon, and within five minutes Elizabeth had excused herself to go talk to Fiona "for a moment." That moment was still going, and he and Nathan had been sitting in silence, neither one looking at the other. Not one to be at a loss for words, Lucas searched for something, anything to say to the man next to him. He was shocked when Nathan spoke first.

"So...Elizabeth's book is good, isn't it?"

Lucas glanced up to see Nathan's eyes trained on him, holding no signs of hostility. If anything, it looked like the constable was as uncomfortable as Lucas was with this arrangement. But at least the book was a relatively safe topic.

"It is," Lucas said with a civil nod. "Elizabeth is an excellent writer."

"So I'm realizing," Nathan said, a look crossing his face that Lucas could only describe as tender. His love for Elizabeth was written there for all to see.

Lucas shook his head. He really never had a chance with her. Her heart belonged to Nathan, and Nathan's heart belonged to Elizabeth. It was as clear as day.

"Elizabeth tells me your mother is a book editor," Nathan said, trying to keep the conversation going.

"That's right. Since before I was born."

"That must have been interesting."

"It was," Lucas said, more surprised by the minute that Nathan of all people was engaging in small talk.

"Is that where you got your love of reading?"

Lucas raised a brow. "How did you know I love reading?"

Nathan leveled him with a look. "I'm a Mountie. I read people."

"Ah...right," Lucas said. Why was he so inarticulate lately? It was a whole new world for him, and it made him uncomfortable. "Yes, my mother's profession helped to nurture my love of books. That, and the traveling."

Nathan's brow furrowed. "The traveling?"

"Yes," Lucas said, suddenly feeling like they were in safer territory, though he couldn't explain why. "My family traveled a lot when I was a child, especially overseas. Boat rides over to Europe or Asia or Africa would take a long time, and I would read to pass the time. Sometimes I could finish up to five books on the way to wherever we were going."

Nathan studied him for a moment. "Did you like traveling so much?"

Lucas shrugged. "I got to see some wonderful places and learn about different cultures and traditions. It was always exciting." His mind drifted to their many travels, and unconsciously he continued. "Though it could be lonely." He blinked as he realized he'd said that out loud.

Nathan was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "I'm sorry," he said, sounding sincere. "Loneliness as a child is tough." He paused. "You didn't have any siblings?"

Lucas shook his head. "It was just me and my parents." He gave Nathan a half smile. "You know, for someone who claims not to like small talk, you're pretty good at it."

Nathan responded with a smile of his own. "I can make use of it when I have to."

Lucas was about to respond when Nathan glanced toward Elizabeth. His face lit up. "Looks like Elizabeth is coming back." His brows rose. "And it looks like she's bringing Fiona with her."

"What?" Lucas said with a sharp intake of breath. Too sharp. He started coughing, unable to catch his breath. Nathan slid a glass of water his way as Elizabeth and Fiona sat at the table. Fiona whacked Lucas on the back a couple of times, concern etched on her face. "Lucas, are you alright?"

Her presence and her touch only rattled him further, and he grasped the glass Nathan had given him, taking a sip between coughs. The water helped a little, but his coughing fit continued for another few seconds. Finally regaining his breath, he filled his lungs and let out the air. "Sorry about that," he said, trying to sound composed as three pairs of eyes studied him.

"Are you okay?" Fiona asked, and Lucas's cheeks warmed as he realized her hand was still on his back.

"Uh...yes...fine," Lucas sputtered, absolutely mortified that he couldn't think of anything else to say. He looked up and inadvertently caught Nathan's eye. Nathan had leaned back in his chair, arms folded, and he was looking between Lucas and Fiona with a smirk.

Lucas's eyes widened. Nathan was enjoying this! "Something on your mind, Constable?" he asked, feeling slightly irritated.

Nathan's smirk deepened. "It's just nice to know that I'm not the only one to sometimes lose my words," he said casually, raising one eyebrow. Lucas's eyes traveled to Elizabeth, who somehow managed to look amused and sympathetic simultaneously. He had a feeling she was enjoying this too.

Not knowing what to think, he turned to Fiona, hoping to say something, anything that sounded halfway dignified.

That was a mistake. Their eyes locked, and he realized all at once what beautiful brown eyes she had. As if pulled by a magnetic force, he started leaning toward her without conscious thought. Fiona's eyes widened, but she seemed to be caught in the same spell. She leaned slightly toward him. They both shot up straight in their seats when Elizabeth discreetly cleared her throat.

Lucas's mouth worked, and he blinked. He had nearly kissed Fiona, in front of Elizabeth and Nathan and the entire saloon. What on earth had possessed him? That wasn't like him at all.

Nathan stood. "Lucas and I will go order the food," he said, placing a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and smiling at her.

Lucas looked up. "We will?"

Nathan shot him a look. "Yes, we will. Come on." He practically pulled Lucas up from his seat and led him to the bar. Once they were there, Nathan glanced back at the table. Seeing Fiona and Elizabeth engaged in conversation, he looked back at Lucas. "Did I just see what I thought I saw?"

Lucas cleared his throat, unable to quite meet Nathan's direct gaze. "What did you think you saw?"

"Looked like a near kiss to me," Nathan said, leaning against the bar. His smirk was back in place. "Just how long have you liked Fiona?"

"You're enjoying this entirely too much," Lucas said, feeling the need to loosen his tie.

Nathan laughed. "What do you expect? You made my life miserable for a good while. Now the tables are turned, and I have to say it's refreshing to see you so...normal." His brow raised again. "Are you going to answer my question?"

Trying to evade the answer, Lucas asked, "What question?"

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Oh please, Bouchard, you know exactly what question." He stared at him, and though Lucas knew it was impossible, he got the distinct feeling that Nathan was reading his thoughts.

"Fine," he said with a huff. "I've been noticing an attraction to Fiona pretty much since we started working together. Happy?"

Nathan nodded. "For what it's worth, Lucas, I think you and Fiona would be great together. You seem to have a lot in common." He grinned. "And I think it's a good thing that she throws you off".

Lucas was quiet for a moment. "May I share something with you?" he asked finally. What he was about to say wasn't something he ever thought he would have confided in Nathan, but something told him the stalwart Mountie was trustworthy.

Nathan nodded in agreement.

Lucas took a deep breath, then plunged ahead. "I'm not used to feeling this way, Nathan. I feel completely out of my element with Fiona. She makes me feel a way I've never felt before. I can't talk when I'm around her, not like I usually do. I know I'm attracted to her, but I don't know what to do about it. We work together, for Pete's sake!"

"So what if you work together?" Nathan said. "Carson and Faith have made things work for them, and they work together. Faith is going to be training under Carson, but that hasn't stopped their relationship." He shrugged. "I'm no expert, but isn't it normal to ask a woman out when you find yourself attracted to her?"

"Yes, normally," Lucas muttered. "But this isn't normal! Romance has always come easily for me. This inability to speak and feeling like a schoolboy around a woman is all new to me!"

Nathan chuckled, clapping Lucas on the back as if they were friends. "Lucas, just ask her out. Take the risk. From what I've seen, she won't object." He glanced over at Fiona, then back at Lucas. "What I saw between you two a few minutes ago was mutual chemistry."

Feeling a little panicked, Lucas said, "But what would we do?"

Nathan stared at him. "Lucas, as you said, you know romance. I'm sure you can figure that out."

A peal of laughter came from the table, and Lucas took a moment to study Fiona. Her lovely face was lit up with her smile, and she talked animatedly with Elizabeth. An idea began to form in Lucas's mind. He looked at Nathan with a smile. "Thanks, Nathan. You've been very helpful."

"Glad to help," Nathan said with a smile of his own.

Lucas tilted his head, studying the man he used to regard as his competition. "You know, I think Elizabeth might be on to something. Maybe we can be friends someday."

Nathan dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement. "Maybe you're right."