A/N Thank you all again, so much. Daryl had a very successful hunt, but a nasty run in with a grizzly bear. Blackie is quite the hero. It's about time our hunter got himself back down off that mountain and home...

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It was Friday evening just before seven and Beth's heart was heavy as she worked on her afghan. She felt so torn. The letters had her missing her family and her home in Georgia. A part of her wanted to go back, back to what she knew, back to the comfort of the big farm house and the love of her family. But there was something standing in the way of her sending that telegraph to her brother, she didn't know how she could possibly leave Daryl. Her thoughts were causing both her tummy and her head to ache when she was startled by the sound of something outside her door, and then a knock.

She went to it knowing who she wished it to be, but afraid to open until asking, "Hello, who is it?"

"It's Karen, Beth."

She opened the door to see Karen standing in her doorway while Merle waited in the wagon holding a lantern. He tipped his hat and Karen wrapped arms around her. "He's home Beth, Daryl got home late this afternoon." She stood back and smiled, "We'll be starting a big job tomorrow. There are three deer and a moose that need butchering and the meat needs to be cared for. Daryl would like you to be there. Not to work, just to see you. Will you?"

"Yes, yes of course. And Karen, I want to help too."

"It's up to you, we can always use another hand but you're being asked because Daryl wants your company, we all do. Virgil will be here for you no later than 5:30 in the morning, can you be ready?"

She was grateful to hear of the early hour; the town would be asleep and no one would know she was once again leaving her home with the Dixon family. "Oh yes, I'll be ready." She was also certain she would have no trouble with the early start, she knew she wouldn't sleep. Her mind would be too busy thinking about the blacksmith and seeing him again.

For the time being all thoughts of going home to Georgia left her.

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Virgil was there at 5:20 Saturday morning and Beth was ready and waiting by the door, anxious to see Daryl with her own eyes and to know he was all right. The air was bitter and she was relieved to find that Virgil had the blanket with him. She knew if she stayed in this country she would do two things as soon as possible, make herself a big warm quilt and get what Daryl called a real winter coat.

Curiosity was getting the best of her, she wanted very much to see the log home where the blacksmith lived. She was a bit disappointed as they rolled up in the wagon, at such an early hour it was still too dark to see much. Although she could tell there was more than one structure, she could barely make them out. The one Virgil stopped in front of appeared to be some kind of barn or large workshop.

As the boy jumped from the wagon she stood, knowing he would come around to help her down. He didn't have a chance to, his uncle beat him to it. Daryl's strong hands reached up encircling her small waist, his eyes never leaving hers as he lifted her down. He looked at her like he was committing everything about her to memory as he softly whispered her name, "Beth."

His broad hands were still clasping her waist when he asked, "Can I?" She wasn't sure for what exactly he sought permission, yet she did not hesitate to answer, "Yes." It felt so right when his arms wrapped around her and she did not stop herself from wrapping hers around him. She thought perhaps he winced at first, but then relaxed. Everything about his caress was perfect to her. He was so strong and manly and although he held her tightly, he was gentle. Still the wince had her concerned, "Are you hurt?"

"Just a scratch. I'll tell ya all about it later." His open hand had moved to her low back and his warm cheek rested on hers as he whispered in her ear, "I thought of ya all the time I was away. Did ya think of me Beth?"

"Yes, yes of course Daryl. You were always on my mind and in my prayers. I was so happy to know you were home safely." That she would think of him and pray for him meant so much, he drew her a little closer and they held the embrace a moment longer.

As he reluctantly pulled away he took her hand in his and smiling he told her, "I got lots a work ahead a me today but I knew I wouldn't get nuthin' done if I didn't see you first." Her cheeks felt warm as he continued, "I wanted ta see ya last night but it was almost dark by the time I got back here. First thing I had ta do was take care a my horses. They worked hard for me this trip and they packed a lotta weight on the way home. Once they were taken care of I rode ta Merle's ta let em all know I's back and I had the meat. I still had ta hang it in here and clean up so I ask him ta go on ta the schoolhouse and let ya know I's okay, and that we decided on this mornin' for startin' the butcherin'. From your place he rode out ta see another fella, you'll meet him inside."

He looked down smiling and she thought he might be a bit embarrassed. He looked back up in her eyes and continued, "I still had it planned in my mind ta come see ya but first I needed ta clean up. A week up in them mountains livin' with horses, guttin' deer and moose, skinnin' bear, cleanin' fish and for the most part livin' in the dirt, I tell ya girl, I couldn't even stand myself. No way I could come see ya til I had a bath."

She was smiling just listening to him tell it, she smiled more when the next part came. "I finally filled me a tub of nice warm water, crawled in and just like that I fell asleep. Just like a baby. If the water hadn't got cold I might still be there." They were both laughing softly until he squeezed her hand and got more serious, "Anyway, I ain't plannin' ta be gone from ya again, not any time soon." He drew her in for one more close embrace then, keeping a firm hold on her hand he lead her into the big building.

It was brightly lit with lamps shining everywhere and that's when she got a clear look at his face. One cheek and part of his forehead were bruised and one eye blackened. Worry was in her voice, "Daryl you're hurt, what in the world happened?"

She looked so concerned for him he felt guilty, "I'm sorry, it, well I had a little disagreement with a grizzly bear. He's worse off than me though, that's his hide hangin' over there."

She turned to look where he pointed and saw the three large bodied deer hanging by their hind legs from the beams, and there were four quarters of a large animal she assumed must be the moose. But that wasn't what made her heart freeze and her hand go to her chest, it was the skin of the large grizzly. All she could do was whisper, "Daryl, I…thank God you're all right."

He reassuringly clasped his hand around her upper arm and smiled, "I told ya I'd be back. Wasn't lettin' no grizzly make a liar outta me." She knew he was making light of it to ease her worry but she wasn't fooled. The look in his eye let her know it had been no laughing matter. It was one more thing she'd talk with him about when the right moment came.

Merle and his family were all there and so were the new people, a large Negro gentleman and an Indian woman who were busily skinning the deer, as well as two children she assumed to be theirs. Daryl took her over to where they worked and introduced her, "Beth this here is Tyrese and this is his lady, Lozen. That little man is their boy Kuruk, that means Bear. The little girl playin' with Mary Ellen is Sonsee-array, that means Morning Star."

The woman had a pleasant look on her face as she simply nodded toward Beth and went back to her work, it was the man Tyrese who spoke, "Lozen don't feel comfortable speakin' English to new people but we're both pleased ta meet ya Beth. I heard tell you're the new marm. I don't s'pose you'll be doin' that much longer, you'll see to it she ain't, won't ya Smithy?"

In that moment all she wanted was to hide from the smiling group, fortunately she didn't have to respond to the teasing. Daryl took care of that. He was good-natured while still making his point, "I tell ya what soldier, why don't ya see about your business and I'll see about mine." The Indian woman had not stopped her work but Beth had to stifle a laugh when she saw Lozen kick her husband in the ankle.

The big man smiled as he nodded his head and went back to his work, "Fair 'nuff Smithy, fair 'nuff."

There were two tall wooden tables, long and covered with supplies including knives, cheesecloth, a crock of salt, another filled with brown sugar and a spool of twine. Karen smiled as she helped Beth put on a long-sleeved apron, "You don't want to ruin your nice clothes. Me, you and Mary Ellen will be getting meat ready for the barrels, the smoker and some for jerky. The men will do the butchering."

It was only minutes later that the man Tyrese and his wife Lozen had completed their task. They gathered their children and after saying goodbye, left with all the skins, antlers and a cheesecloth bag the man retrieved from the table. Beth was confused and when they were gone she asked, "Is that all they came for, the hides and antlers? What will they do with them?"

Karen looked to Daryl, he shrugged and answered Beth's question, "Lozen will be workin' the hides and she'll make good use of every bit of em. I only brought that bear skin back cuz I knew she'd be happy ta have it, what with her boy bein' named Bear and all. She'll make a cover for his bed with the skin and a necklace of the claws for him. Except for one claw. That bear left me sumthin' ta remember him by an I'm takin' sumthin' of his. She'll put one a the claws on a strip of leather and I'll be wearin' that around my neck."

This was another of Daryl Dixon's stories Beth wanted to hear more of, but for now she had a different question. "What was in the bag?"

"The bear's heart, they'll have a prayer ceremony and eat that tonight." He saw her go a little pale and then Mary Ellen piped in, "Uncle Daryl already ate all the deer hearts." And now he could swear she turned green and her hand griped the table, but she made no comment and he didn't elaborate.

He brought the conversation back around to the hides, "Now the deer hides, remember I thought I's gonna quarter them animals ta pack em home? When I's up there I got ta feelin' like the horses could handle the weight we had if I evened it out right. They did. Keepin' the deer whole meant keepin' the hides intact, which makes nicer skins with the deer. With the moose there's no way a horse could pack an animal that size, I wouldn't be able ta get it loaded up any ways. But they're so big those sections of hide are big. So, with all those skins I asked Merle ta talk ta Tyrese and Lozen last night."

"They come early this mornin' and me and Lozen made us a deal. She'll use some a the leather from the hides ta make me a pair of a work gloves, Merle and each a the boys too. She's makin' a coin purse for Karen, Mary Ellen and one for you Beth. You'll see, it'll be real pretty. She'll sew fancy beadwork on it. The rest a the hides, the bear skin, the heart, the antlers and a roast I cut off the bear are hers. She'll make moccasins for herself and the children and gloves for Tyrese. She uses the antlers for cupboard handles and jewelry, belt buckles, all kinds a things. I got no idea what all, I just know none of it is goin' ta waste."

She heard it all but what went right to her heart was that she'd been included. The woman Lozen was making something for her and it was because Daryl had asked her to. The idea that he would include her in this way made her want so much to go to him and hold him, but she could not behave that way in front of his family. She simply smiled, "Thank you. That sounds wonderful."

It was as they worked that Daryl told the story of the bear to the group, at least he told it the way he thought it would be most palatable. "I's bleedin' kinda bad and it was a spot here on my side I knew I couldn't reach ta sew up. I took off my coat, my shirts and my undershirt. I used one shirt ta wash the cut good with the river water, then I bound the wound with my undershirt. It hurt like…well I can't say in front a the young ones, but yeah, it was pretty bad. Anyway, I got a better chance ta look at it in the mirror last night and it looked all right."

Beth had seen Merle watching his brother as he told the story, and she noticed how his brow furrowed in concern. Now he wrapped an arm around Daryl's shoulder, "Nah little brother, we're gonna go in right now an I'ma look at it. If I think it needs Doc we're gonna go pay him a visit. Ya can't be messin' with this shit, kid." Karen didn't bother objecting to her husband's language, now was not the time.

Daryl got agitated, "Ya don't need ta take care a me, I ain't a kid no more Merle."

"You're my little brother and I'll see to ya." They stared hard and Merle tried softening the tone, "Ya know I worry about ya, c'mon, it won't hurt ta have someone else take a look." And then Karen added, "Please Daryl." And the hunter gave in. Beth was relieved he agreed.

They were back in ten minutes and it was Karen who asked, "Well?"

"It didn't look infected an it was already healin' up enough I'd have ta cut it some ta sew it. I left it be except ta put some salve on it and wrap it. Likely all them clothes he had on saved it from bein' much worse." Then he clapped Daryl on the back and smiled, "One more scar, little brother, one more."

She saw the way the brothers looked at each other, and Beth felt sure there was some kind of deeper meaning in what Merle had said about scars. That gave her another question.

The work continued and Beth smiled to herself as she watched how patient Daryl was with the young boys. He explained the different cuts of meat they would get from the animals, what cuts to leave the bone in, how to remove the bone in others, what would likely go in the smoker, what he would hang fresh in the cellar for now, what would go in the barrels and what would become jerky. Watching him the thought came to her again, he would be such a good Daddy.

It was late morning when Karen said, "Beth and I had better get in the house now and get lunch ready. Daryl, I've got a little girl here who looks like she needs a nap. Is it okay if I lay her in your bed?"

"Yeah, course. Mary Ellen tell my bed hello for me, I miss it." Beth smiled at his humor but all she could really think about was finally seeing Daryl's home.

Walking out of the big work shop she was once again struck by the chill in the air. If she decided to stay in this country she would have to have the proper clothes. She needed this long underwear they all wore and she needed a heavier blouse, another sweater, thicker stockings and more suitable shoes, and of course, that winter coat.

Looking around though, she also thought she understood why Daryl loved Heavenly. Although the air was cold the sun shone so brightly and the mountain sky seemed especially big and so blue. His property had a tranquil beauty to it. The cabin itself was surrounded by tall trees, some now with changing leaves and some evergreen, and there were grasses and large bushes she was sure would bring spring flowers. Besides the workshop there was a horse barn and a well house, a big corral and a fenced chicken yard with a nice coop. "What does that door lead to Karen? It looks like a small sod house."

"That's the door to Daryl's root cellar and it's a fine one, nice and deep with good stairs to walk down. He's careful about the way he does things and he made it the best I've ever seen."

From the outside the house looked to be about the same size as Merle and Karen's, maybe a little larger. She'd never been in a house where a man lived alone and she couldn't imagine what it must look like. As they walked in she saw that yes, it was a little bigger than his brother's home and it was warm from the fire, and she was surprised at how tidy he kept it.

The kitchen was good-sized, square, and there was a lovely wooden pantry that had glass in the door panels, showing off the jars of food it held. There was something else she noticed right away, a wonderful kitchen cupboard. She couldn't help walking to it to have a look at its built-in flour and sugar bins and the big sifter. The two shelves on top held mixing bowls, plates, salt, pepper and a few other spices. There was a large crock on the white enamel worktop that held kitchen tools, wooden and metal spoons, whisks and a beater. A small wood box held the flatware. Everything was neat and organized. She couldn't imagine her brother keeping a kitchen so nice.

The sink was white porcelain and there were nice wood drain tops on either side. She could almost imagine herself kneading dough on one of those wood counters. The cookstove was big enough to cook a meal for a large family and she saw the well-used but well cared for cast iron cookware. Daryl Dixon's kitchen was one that any woman would be proud to have, and that was all it lacked, a woman's touch. That's when Beth reminded herself she was just getting to know the man, she shouldn't be having such thoughts.

Mary Ellen was getting a little whiney and it was obvious to look at her the child was overly tired. Her Mama said, "Come on little lady, let's get you in using the bathroom and getting washed up, then you can rest."

Bathroom? She wanted to see, "Can I help?"

"No but come anyway, you have to see the rest of his house." Karen was smiling now, "He put this bathroom in just about two years ago." Then she laughed adding, "He said he was tired of doing his business outside and tired of freezing his hind end off in the bath."

On the way to the bathroom they walked through his living area. The river rock hearth was large and impressive and he had such nice fireplace tools, she felt certain he'd forged those himself. There was also a big cookpot and she wondered how often he cooked over the open fire.

There was a comfortable looking sofa and a large overstuffed chair with a footstool, there was even a writing desk and chair. She saw no bed though. There was a ladder to a loft and she wondered if he slept up there.

Beth was nearly speechless as she looked around the bathroom. There was a fancy copper slipper tub and a matching copper sink was mounted on the wall with a mirror above it. There was a dressing table, a freestanding mirror like a barber might have, and most impressive of all, an indoor toilet.

She couldn't help remarking, "This room and the living room furniture, it all looks like something from a fancy hotel."

Karen smiled confirming the statement, "You're right. That's just what all this was intended for. Daryl was in Billings to buy iron for work when he happened on some sort of big ruckus. A fellow had ordered all manner of furniture and plumbing supplies for a hotel and gaming palace he claimed to be building. The trouble was when the shipment arrived the man didn't have the money to pay. That man ended up in jail and a month or so later there was a big auction on all those things he'd ordered. Daryl went back and was able to get a nice bargain on quite a few items."

Beth was smiling as they washed up Mary Ellen's hands and their own in the warm water, and she remarked, "I'd love to have indoor plumbing." And Karen stunned her when she placed a hand on hers and said, "Maybe you will have. You must have seen by now, he'll make a wonderful husband Beth." Beth felt her neck and her face heat up and she could make no reply.

She saw where he slept, and it wasn't in the loft. Just walking in a man's bedroom made her blush but she also smiled. It was so pleasant. It wasn't large, not at all, but it was just right. There was a wood bed meant for two, a nice wardrobe and a dresser. There was a soft looking rug on the floor and a warm looking quilt on the bed and even a quilt stand that held a second quilt. She thought it made a lovely room. She had to tell herself to stop, she should not be thinking that maybe someday it might not be his room, it might be their room. It was too soon for such thoughts, they were just getting properly acquainted.

While the little girl napped the women got potatoes boiling to mash, biscuit dough made and cut, and then began pounding fresh round steak from one of the bucks. Beth had seen that the kitchen table was not large like Karen's. It was small and square and had only two chairs. She asked, "Where will everyone sit, we're such a large group."

"Oh we won't eat in here Beth, everyone is so messy. The men and the boys will carry the food out to the work room." Then Karen looked at her, smiled and said, "I suppose it's just a matter of time before Daryl will be making a bigger table and adding more chairs." And Beth felt the heat in her cheeks again, and it wasn't from the stove.

It was nearly 8:30 and black as pitch when they took a big chance. Instead of Merle and his family taking her home, Daryl was taking her. He got a blanket that lay across the back of his sofa to wrap around her shoulders and they were on their way.

As they rode along he held the reins in one hand and he took her hand in his other. She'd been on his mind and in his heart since the day she arrived in Heavenly. He wanted her to know his heart. That's when he brought it up, "I ain't one ta be much of a talker, but I'm willin' ta try and make my point with that old hen Neudermeyer tomorrow after services. I ain't afraid ta tell her what she's doin' ain't right. I wanna be with you Beth, I want you ta be my Sweetheart, I think you want the same. I'ma just make it plain ta her that's how it's gonna be. I ain't backin' down Beth. I'll make her see. I don't wanna be sneakin' no more."

Her heart was so full, she did want to be his Sweetheart, but she hesitated and then she said, "I don't know Daryl, that's taking a big chance. What if she suspects that we've been seeing each other all along? Think about it, it will almost be proof of it, it will be proof, you'll be admitting it to her. She'll fire me and then what? I need my job Daryl."

"So what you're sayin' is ya don't even want me ta try, is that it? You're willin' ta just take a chance we can sneak around and see each other here and there and that's enough? Or maybe ya mean ya don't wanna take a chance seein' me at all."

Although he never raised his voice to her she knew by his tone he wasn't at all happy with her, and the fact that they were both exhausted surely didn't help the situation. "Daryl it's not that I don't want to see you, I do. But there's so much more to think about. You don't understand, I don't have a choice."

"I think I understand exactly. I think ya made a choice and it ain't me. I guess I'm an idiot, I thought we wanted the same thing."

"Daryl you're not being fair."

"Yeah, you're right." And they were at the schoolhouse and he helped her down from the wagon, but he didn't clasp his hands around her waist and he didn't look in her eyes, and he didn't hold her close. He simply waited to make sure she got the door open and said, "Thanks for your help today, Karen will bring ya by some meat," and he turned and left.

She shut the door, leaned against it and immediately her tears began to fall. What in the world just happened? Everything had been so good, she thought they'd been getting closer and closer and now, because she'd been unsure about his plan, it was over? Fine. Maybe the letter from Shawn had arrived at just the right time. Going home to Georgia was undoubtedly what was best for her. She lay down on the bed and cried herself to sleep, still wearing her clothes and shoes.

He felt like an asshole and right out loud that's what he said to himself, "You're an asshole Dixon. Shit, now what do you think you're gonna do?" Maybe he'd been kidding himself all along. Maybe she liked him fine, but maybe that was all she wanted, a man to keep her company, not a permanent man. Maybe he'd been reading her all wrong. Nah, he knew better, that wasn't Beth. Anyway, none of that mattered now, he'd acted like an asshole, because he was an asshole.

Lord knows he needed one but he didn't bother to take a bath. He added wood to his fire and lay on the bed still fully clothed. He threw a crooked arm across his eyes and thought about the day and thought about the ride home, and thought about how he'd just lost what he was sure was the best thing that ever happened to him.

He was lucky, he'd been working hard every day for weeks so in spite of the hurt and the anger he felt with himself for the way he'd behaved, he slept hard.

She woke in the middle of the night feeling like she was frozen to the bone. She hurried to get the fire going in the stove but she'd let it die and the firebox was so cold it seemed to take forever to catch. She shivered so hard she was afraid for herself, and even when she got it started the room was so cold it would take a long time for the small stove to warm it. She still didn't take her clothes off, instead she put her sweater on and her coat and got under the covers.

Laying there curled in a ball as if it would keep her warmer, she thought about Daryl. He said he wanted her to be his sweetheart and that's what she wanted too, and he was willing and ready to make his case with Mrs. Neudermeyer. Why hadn't she agreed? Instead she'd turned away the man for whom she cared so deeply. Again, she cried herself to sleep.

He woke at four Sunday morning feeling no better about himself and the situation than he did when he lay down Saturday night. He thought about what to do and he got himself up, stoked the fire and went to his bathroom. He trimmed and he shaved and then he ran his tub.

He dressed but not in his Sunday clothes, he had too much work still to do and Monday morning he'd be starting a busy week at the shop. There would be no time for Services this day but he still put on a decent set of clothes. He stopped, nodded as if remembering something, gathered a few things from the kitchen, took the lantern, went out to the horse barn and saddled Blackie. The little filly neighed and Blackie neighed back to her, Daryl turned to her and spoke, "Don't worry little girl, we ain't goin' far and not for long. We just got sumthin' we gotta see if we can fix."

Beth was awakened by a knock on her door. It was still dark and the knock scared her and she thought about not answering, but the knock came again. This time there was a more urgent sound to it and she rose from the bed and went to the door asking, "Hello?"

"Beth, it's Daryl. I know you're mad at me and ya got the right, but please, please will ya open the door?"

"I'm…" She was still in her clothes, her coat, her sweater and she was sure her eyes were swollen and her hair a mess. And he was right. She was angry and she was hurt, but then he said again, "Please Beth, please."

She'd barely begun to pull the door open and he was inside, kicking it shut with his foot and wrapping his arms around her.

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A/N Well then, lots going on there and most of all Daryl said what was in his heart. Let's see if they can fix this. I'd appreciate reading your comments / reviews. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, and you'll get to see a couple of photos of Daryl's place. Thank you again for reading along and I hope to see you all back here next week for more of A Place Called Heavenly. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee