Nathan walked beside Allie, laughing as he watched her trying to contain her excitement; if she was any more excited, she might fly away. Allie loved fishing, of course, but he knew today was about the company, not the fish.
Nathan frowned; he knew he should be taking it slowly with Quinn after what had happened with Elizabeth; she had broken their hearts when she chose Lucas. While being cautious, Nathan wanted to explore what was happening with Quinn. Nathan spoke softly to Allie as they walked along. "Allie, I would like to talk to you about today and Quinn. After what happened with Mrs Thornton, I think..." Before he could continue, Allie spoke.
"Dad, I know you are worried about me getting too attached to Miss Standing as I did with Mrs Thornton. I got attached to her because I knew you liked her, and she acted as if it was the same for her. She didn't just stay my teacher; she pretended to want more. When Mrs Thornton decided to court Mr Bouchard, it hurt, and because she's still my teacher, it made it hard.
Stopping, Allie took hold of her Dad's hand and said earnestly, "I am going to be Quinn's friend, and that's all, so if you decide not to court her, I won't get hurt again because I won't have my hopes up, and if something goes wrong, I don't have to spend a lot of time around her."
Nathan blushed at Allie's comments about Quinn and courting, "Allie, I hardly know Quinn, while she is someone I want to know better, it's too early to decide something like that, and besides, you know, we do have to think about what she wants."
Allie just smiled and said, "Oh Dad, it's obvious you already like-like her; your face gets all mushy whenever you see her." Pulling him along, she looked back at him and said, "but that's OK because she looks at you like that too."
As Allie dragged him along, he thought about what she had said and how grown up she sounded. It wouldn't be easy for Allie to keep her distance from Quinn and only be friends, so he would need to be careful and protect both their hearts.
Sitting at the table in the kitchen of the Cafe, Quinn tried to still the nerves in her stomach. She needed to calm down; she didn't want her excitement to overtake her. Everything was ready for the picnic, she had carefully selected the food, including her favourites, and she hoped Nathan and Allie would enjoy them too.
She looked down at herself, reviewing the outfit she had chosen to wear and hoping it would meet Allie's approval, smiling as she remembered the serious advice Allie had given on outfit requirements. Hopefully, she had met the 'not too many frills, something you don't mind getting wet and dirty' look Allie described while also looking presentable.
A knock on the cafe door surprised her, and she jumped slightly, shooting Bill a dark look when he snickered at her reaction. She quickly left her seat and answered the door, smiling at Allie and Nathan. Noticing Allie look at what she was wearing, she did a little pirouette, offering herself for inspection.
"Your outfit is perfect!" said Allie, laughing at her antics.
Quinn cocked an eyebrow and looked at Nathan, silently asking, 'well'? He thought she looked beautiful as always; the simple outfit flattered her, the dark colour highlighting her honey-blonde curls. Quinn laughed as Nathan made a production of assessing her dark skirt and blouse as if doing an inspection.
Nodding, Nathan said, "Allie was correct; you are perfect," he said with a smile.
Bill walked over to the three of them, "well, if that's settled, I suggest you get out of here before I put you to work helping out here," he said, indicating the Cafe. Although the curtain was closed, it sounded like plenty of people were in the restaurant, and Quinn remembered Bill saying the Saloon was closed.
Quinn glanced to Allie and Nathan and asked, "Bill do you need us to stay and help? Of course, we will." Quinn hoped he would say he didn't need them despite offering to help. Even her brief look at Allie's face told her how disappointed she would be if they didn't go.
"I am only teasing Quinn, I have enough help, and I modified the menu to make it easier as well," he said. "I would never get in the way of Allie and her fishing," he said, smiling at her indulgently.
Allie sighed dramatically, "Phew, I am so glad Uncle Bill, I would have been happy to help, but I am happy we don't have to." She rolled her eyes as the adults laughed. "Can we get going, Pleeeeaaasse?"
Quinn, walking over to pick up the picnic basket, said with a laugh, "of course, Allie, I would hate to keep the fish waiting!". Nathan quickly took the basket from her and escorted them outside.
The three left the Cafe and walked through town toward the river; they weren't going far today because they had decided not to take the horses. The conversation was light, Allie taking the lead and explaining to Quinn all about where they were going and what to expect.
As she listened to Allie, Quinn looked over to Nathan and saw he was watching and listening to Allie, pride for her showing clearly on his face. It was apparent how much he adored her, and Quinn could see why.
As they reached their fishing spot, Allie took the picnic basket from her Dad and busied herself setting up their picnic, laying out the blanket Nathan had brought along and placing the basket on the ground. Quinn and Nathan waited patiently, allowing her to fuss with everything until satisfied. Once Allie finished, they sat, and Quinn passed around the food she had brought.
After finishing off the fried chicken, potato salad (her grandmother's recipe was a hit), some cheese and fruit, they decided to leave the chocolate cake until later. Allie was torn between the cake and fishing but decided teaching Quinn to fish was more important.
Nathan relaxed on the blanket, looking over to Quinn and Allie, watching as Allie went through the finer points of fishing. Allie was animatedly describing how to bait a hook and how to cast. He enjoyed watching Quinn as she focused, trying hard to remember and follow Allie's instructions.
Quinn's first attempt at casting with her fishing rod was not a success, the line falling short of her target. Determined to get it right, she cast several more times before Allie clapped her hands excitedly, and Quinn was able to relax, waiting for the fish to bite. She saw Allie walk further downstream, effortlessly casting her line into the water and smiled as Nathan went to check on her.
Nathan waited until Allie went downstream before walking over to talk to her, not wanting to interrupt the lesson. "How's it going?" he asked softly, not wanting to disturb the fish. "It didn't seem to take Quinn long to catch on; you must be a good Teacher."
Allie smiled up at him, "she was so serious and tried hard; I hope she catches a fish; If she does, I promise to clean it for her; I don't think she will like that part at all."
Nathan nodded, agreeing; he didn't think Quinn would like that part either. "I might go and see how she's going if that's alright?" he asked.
Allie rolled her eyes "sure, Dad, go check on her", she said sarcastically, turning and going back to her fishing.
Shaking his head, Nathan walked toward Quinn, hands in his pockets. He watched her as he walked toward her; she had no idea he was coming; her whole focus was on her fishing rod. "So are the fish biting?" he asked quietly.
Whipping her head around, Quinn smiled at him, "Oh, you scared me, Nathan." Realising how loud she was being, she whispered, "sorry, I don't mean to scare the fish." Continuing to whisper, she looked over her shoulder and said, "Not that I think it will make much difference; I don't think I am very good at this."
"You are doing fine; sometimes the fish just aren't biting." Nathan stepped closer to her, pretending to check on her rod and reel.
Just as Nathan leaned in, Quinn felt a jerk on the rod; for a tiny moment, she thought his nearness had sent the usual jolt through her causing it, then realised it was a bite on her line. "Oh Nathan, I think I have a fish," she exclaimed excitedly, "What do I do?"
Laughing, Nathan said, "quick, pull back on the rod". Quinn didn't react; Stepping up behind her, he placed his arms around her, his hands covering hers on the fishing rod.
Quinn gave a slight sound as she felt Nathan's nearness, but right then, the rod jerked again, and she didn't have time to think about how good it felt, distracted by landing the fish.
Once Quinn brought the fish up and out of the water, he dropped his arms, reaching for the net to capture the fish. Nathan had once again reacted instinctively, stepping up to help Quinn land the fish; he would have done the same to Allie when she was learning. Nathan couldn't deny he had enjoyed holding Quinn close.
Allie had caught two fish, Quinn had decided to stop trying after her one fish, and Nathan was too busy helping Quinn to do any fishing himself. Allie declared three was the perfect number of fish, and they should eat them together that evening. Looking at the sky, Nathan suggested they head back to town, it looked like it might rain, and he didn't want them getting wet.
Walking back to town, they discussed the best way to cook fish. Allie had started to describe the gutting process, but after seeing Quinn's face, decided to change the subject. Approaching their row house, Allie noticed Opal out the front of her own home, squealing with excitement; she begged, "can I please go and see Opal, Dad? I haven't seen her for a whole week". Opal and her family had been visiting relatives.
Nathan nodded at Allie smiling, taking the catch from her. As Allie started running away, Nathan called, "be back in time to clean the fish for supper." Chuckling, he looked at Quinn, saying, "I hope you don't mind it being just me until Allie gets back?"
Quinn hoped her face didn't reflect her thoughts as clearly as Bill said it did. She loved spending the day with Nathan and Allie, and she would be happy with Nathan's company until she returned. "Of course not, Nathan, that's fine," screwing up her face, she said, "do you think we should clean the fish for Allie while she is gone".
Nathan shook his head, "nope, Allie agreed to do it, so I am going to put these in the icebox and wait for her to get back." Nathan didn't want Quinn to leave and come back later, so he said, "would you like to go to the livery and see the horses while Allie visits with Opal? I haven't seen Newton all day, and I am sure Misty would like to see you."
Quinn laughed, "she will be happier to see me if I bring her an apple."
Grinning, Nathan said, "Newton too;' holding up the fish, he proposed, "how about I put these away and bring back a couple of apples to feed the horses?". As soon as Nathan saw Quinn nod in agreement, he strode inside to organise everything.
Heading toward the livery Quinn and Nathan chatted comfortably about her new job and what she hoped it would be. Nathan knew he had to find the right moment to tell her about Elizabeth so that she could understand for Allie's sake, and Nathan wanted to make sure she heard the truth of how he felt from him, not the town gossip.
As Nathan opened his mouth to speak, it started to rain, "we need to get to the livery; it's the closest cover", he said, speaking loudly to be heard over the storm. Not saying a word, Quinn nodded and started running with him.
The closer they got to the livery, the harder the rain fell. Quinn could feel Nathan urging her forward until finally, they ran through the doorway to the barn where the horses were.
They were both laughing by the time they got inside the building, safe from the rain, both soaked. Nathan's stomach quivered at the sound of Quinn's husky laugh, and looking down at her, standing so close to him, he felt his heart constrict.
Gathering a blanket stacked against the wall, Nathan wrapped one around Quinn; it might smell of horses, but she would be warm. As he gathered the ends of the blanket around her, he looked into her eyes, and before he could stop himself, Nathan reached out, cupping Quinn's cheek in his hand.
Quinn's heart stuttered at his touch; it took her breath away. Her eyes wide, she looked at him, waiting.
Nathan couldn't believe he had been so bold. Her soft skin was warm; her cheeks flushed with colour. He looked into her eyes and saw his longing reflected there. Softly, he stroked his thumb across her cheekbone, hearing her soft intake of breath.
Quinn turned her head slightly, leaning into Nathan's warm palm, as he caressed her cheek. Her heart was racing so loudly she was sure he could hear it. Quinn watched as his eyes drifted down toward her lips, hoping he would kiss her, closing her eyes in anticipation.
Nathan brushed a stray curl back from her face, wondering if it was too soon to do what he wanted to, and place a kiss on her lips. As he watched her eyes close, he leaned toward her, his hand sliding from her face, his fingers threading into her hair gently, his other arm drawing her close.
The sound of footsteps distracted him; someone was coming. Releasing his hold on Quinn, he stepped back and watched her eyes open; seeing the disappointment in Quinn's eyes; he smiled at her unhappily; he knew how she felt. So much for going slowly, he chided himself.
Bill hurried into the livery, looking for Nathan. He noticed them standing close together, "Sorry to interrupt, but I need you to come with me, Nathan," Bill said awkwardly; "there's been an accident due to the rain. A car has slipped in the wet and hit a tree, blocking the road, and we need to get it moved."
Nathan asked, "Was anyone injured? Who was driving the car?" he was frowning as he waited for a response, hoping it wouldn't be bad news.
Bill shook his head, "I don't know who was driving the car, someone from out of town, I hear, but he wasn't hurt. Now the rain has stopped; Lee is going to take us in his car so we can move the tree; we need all the help we can get."
Nodding, Nathan said, "of course, Bill." Turning away from him, he looked back at Quinn, "I hadn't realised the rain had stopped; you do have a way of taking all my focus Miss Standing", he said softly with a crooked smile.
Quinn smiled back at him, "I didn't notice either," she said. "I was a little preoccupied myself," she said, blushing. "But you need to go and help Bill and the others; you make sure you take care of yourself," she said, touching him lightly on the arm.
Nathan nodded, promising he would. "Will you tell Allie what has happened and still come to dinner? If you don't mind it being a little late?" He hoped she would; he wasn't ready for their day together to end.
"Of course, Nathan, I will go now and let her know so she won't worry if she hears anything, just worry about yourself; now get going so you can get back," she said, still watching his face; she wasn't ready to let him go either.
Bill stood watching the exchange between them; he couldn't deny they made a handsome couple. Frowning, he realised neither of them was moving despite their talk of leaving. He needed Nathan to come with him, so he asked, "are you planning on coming today, Constable?" his tone amused.
Nathan wanted to say goodbye to Quinn privately; he didn't need Bill watching the two of them. Nathan replied, without looking at him, "I will meet you at Lee's office in five minutes, Bill." Hearing Bill grunt his frustration, he waited, listening as Bill's footsteps grew softer as he walked away.
"Quinn, I wish I didn't have to go, and I really wish we hadn't been interrupted," he said quietly, looking into her eyes, noticing the brown and green flecks which gave them their beautiful colour. He was pleased when she said, "I feel the same, and I look forward to seeing you later," looking down to hide her face, sure she was blushing again.
Nathan raised her head using his finger to tilt her chin up. Leaning down, he stroked her reddened face, then placed a lingering kiss on her cheek, "see you soon, Quinn", he said, backing away from her.
Quinn didn't reply as she watched Nathan walk away; she didn't trust herself to speak. Touching her face where his lips had been moments before, she smiled and took a deep breath, calming herself before she went in search of Allie.