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Chapter 8

The moment Nathan and Betsy rounded a stand of trees that opened into a brilliantly colored meadow, he couldn't believe his eyes.

"I've never seen such a place," he said softly.

Betsy, too, seemed awestruck by the view before them.

"They're so beautiful," she said with reverence. "I think this looks like Heaven."

"I have no doubt," he said, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Maybe they're a gift to us from your mother and father."

"Can I get down and run through them?"

"I see the Coulters up ahead. Maybe we should stop when we're a little farther along."

"No, these are the best flowers," she pleaded. "They won't mind. There's enough for all of us."

"All right. And if we're interrupting, we can move on."

"But only after I've picked a bunch, in case there aren't so many up the road."

"I don't suppose anyone would object to that," he said with an indulgent smile.

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"Yoo hoo!" Rosemary called, as the pair on horseback drew near. "We found the perfect picnic spot. Won't you join us?"

"Yes, thank you!" Betsy called. "Let me down, Uncle Nathan."

He stayed astride and helped his niece ease down the horse's side. Betsy skipped to the Coulters, turning in circles as the flowers captured her attention from every angle.

"I don't know where to start," Betsy said. "There are flowers everywhere!"

"You can start right here," Rosemary said, handing her a small bouquet she'd collected from within reach of the blanket.

"Oh, thank you!" Betsy exclaimed, and impulsively threw her arms around Rosemary's shoulders.

"You're welcome, dear." She returned the embrace and squeezed her with sincere affection. "I couldn't help myself. Each flower was more lovely than the last, and I knew you'd appreciate each and every one."

Betsy stopped to inspect the blossoms and buds, smiling broadly as Nathan dismounted a few yards away and dropped the reins.

"Spread out your blanket, constable," Rosemary invited, to his surprise.

"Are you sure we aren't intruding?" he asked softly.

"Not at all," Rosemary said convincingly. "We welcome your company."

Lee gave her a loving smile.

"Look, Uncle Nathan!" Betsy pulled a purple flower from the bouquet and ran to his side. "Mommy sent it to us. It's her favorite color."

"I think you're right." He knelt and closely examined the stem as it waved in the breeze. "Not only is it her favorite color, this may be her favorite flower of all time."

She closed her eyes and stroked the fragile bloom across her cheek, until emotion overcame her and she pressed into Nathan's shoulder, her tears dampening his shirt.

"I'm really brave, Uncle Nathan," she wept. "Honest, I am."

"Of course you are," he assured, hugging her firmly, as his eyes filled with tears. "I'm brave — but see? I'm crying, too."

"Lee …" Rosemary whispered and reached for his hand. "Let's take a walk."

Lee nodded and helped her to her feet. They wandered a few steps away, making a show of gathering more flowers and letting the uncle and niece have their moment.

After a minute or two, Nathan growled like a bear and rose to his full height, taking Betsy high up in his arms and making her laugh before gently setting her down.

"I'm hungry enough to eat a horse — oh, sorry, Buckshot," he said to the mount behind him.

"Me, too. Did you bring dessert?"

"Dessert! Didn't you eat two desserts yesterday?"

"But that was yesterday." She put on a pouty face.

"Maybe I brought a cookie or two."

"Goodie, goodie, goodie!" She jumped up and down.

"We don't want to be gone all day, though. Go and pick your flowers, while I unpack our lunch."

He hesitated before laying out the blanket Elizabeth lent him. Rosemary turned and smiled, as though she sensed the question on his mind.

"Set yourself up right next to us," she said, as friendly as could be.

"Thank you, ma'am." He opened the blanket and sat with their lunch satchel, careful to keep his boots off to the side.

"Call me 'Rosemary,'" she invited.

"Thank you, Rosemary. It's a beautiful name. My grandmother's name was Rose, and my mother's name was Mary."

"Well, I'll be. We were destined to be friends, without a doubt."

"Your words mean more than you know," he said.

Only when he felt his muscles relax did he realize how tense he'd been. It was a tension that had built with each scowl he'd encountered on a Hope Valley resident's face. Yet, suddenly, he was accepted — even welcomed.

Lee and Rosemary returned to their blanket and began opening food containers.

"I heard you brought cookies," Rosemary said. "What else do you have in that satchel of yours? Something that'll stick to your ribs, I hope."

He chuckled at her referencing how thin he was. It was something he was used to.

"The café's special was fried chicken," he said. "It seemed like it would pack well. I thought it we might be hungry after the ride, so I ordered more than two people could ever finish. Please help yourselves."

He unbuckled the spacious leather bag and removed several good-sized tins.

"They added a few apples, some fresh vegetables and biscuits …"

"Biscuits!" Rosemary reacted. "Sorry, I'm sure they're wonderful. I'm embarrassed about the ones I brought over to Elizabeth's."

"They weren't bad at all," he assured. "Mrs. Thornton let me take them home, and they were a satisfying treat after I made my rounds."

"You are too kind, constable."

"Please, call me Nathan," he said with a smile. "Since we're friends."

"I'm honored," Rosemary said. "Are you making many friends, Nathan?"

"Only a few. But the ones I've made, I value very much."

His blue eyes gazed into hers with the utmost sincerity.

Rosemary nodded. "Elizabeth has certainly proven herself to be among my closest friends. Funny, there was a time when I considered her my chief rival." She laughed cheerfully.

Nathan glanced at Lee with a look of surprise.

"Not for my affections," Lee corrected. "Rosie and Elizabeth were both involved with Jack Thornton, at one time or another."

"He must have been a wonderful man," Nathan said carefully.

"Oh, he was." Rosemary stared dreamily into the heavens, until her husband cleared his throat. "Sorry, dear. So, Nathan, did you ever cross paths with our precious Jack?"

Nathan glanced away without answering.

"Oh, you did," Rosemary said, her insightful eyes observing him closely. "Not only that, you were there when …"

Nathan bowed his head, but said not a word.

"Honey, I'm starving," Lee interrupted. "Let's dig in."

"Of course," she said. "And I'd love to try some of that fried chicken, if you don't mind."

"Please do," Nathan said. After placing the tins where their blankets overlapped, he looked around for his niece. "Now, where has she gone off to?"

"Call her — I'm sure she's not far," Rosemary suggested.

"Betsy!" he shouted. "Come and eat!" His height was often an advantage, so he stood and looked out on the field, but still couldn't see her.

"Over here!" a young voice called from some distance.

"Where are you? Did you fall?"

"I'm a princess on my bed of flowers!"

From her voice, he gauged her general direction. He shaded his eyes and searched, and finally, he laughed. "I see a break in the undergrowth just large enough for an eight-year-old princess," he told his lunch-mates. "I'll go bring her back. Please, start without us."

As he marched into the flowers, he noticed a meandering path made by her child-sized boots that provided a better guide than her voice.

"There you are," he said once he found her.

"Shhh, I'm sleeping." She opened one eye a sliver. "You be the handsome prince who wakes me with a kiss."

"How about I be your faithful horse and carry you piggyback?" he suggested.

"Yes!" She leapt from the ground and climbed aboard her uncle's back as he stooped down. "Go, horsie!"

"What about your flowers?" he asked, walking — not running — back to their picnic site.

"I think I squashed them," she said. "I'll pick more after lunch."

"I can help — But only if you finish your meal," he offered over his shoulder.

"Mrs. Coulter would help me."

"She probably would, but no fair charming her with your beautiful blue eyes. You need to eat first."

She giggled. "Don't you charm people with your blue eyes."

"Never. Charm is no substitute for goodness of heart."

"That's why you never got married, Uncle Nathan. You're not very charming."

He chuckled. "A good woman is attracted to a man's character, not his charm."

"I think Mrs. Thornton is such a woman."

"I believe she is, which is why I value her as a friend."

"Maybe someday …"

"Betsy," he gently cautioned. "You need to concern yourself with finishing your lunch, which is …"

He set her on her feet at the edge of the picnic blanket, where two tin plates were waiting for them, heaped with delicious food.

"This is truly a feast," he said in awe.

"Dig in, you two." Rosemary invited. "The chicken you brought is divine, and it pairs surprisingly well with the cured meat and cheese we packed."

Nathan and Betsy sat on the blanket. They exchanged a smile and reached out to clasp hands.

"Thank you, Lord, for good food and good friends," Nathan prayed simply.

"Amen," Betsy said.

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See Chapter 9

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Thank you to all who have offered enthusiastic reviews of my story!

My heart goes out to those who prefer to read stories about Elizabeth and Jack.

I know that his loss will forever be felt.

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If you enjoyed this story, please check out my fan fiction about "Chesapeake Shores."

Search fanfiction . net for writer "Annette Zoaps."

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