Nathan and Quinn hurried through breakfast so they could collect Allie and head out to the Stewart Ranch.
Rosemary and Lee had asked to accompany them, Lee offering to let Nathan have his first driving lesson on the way. Nathan thought about it, wondering if he wanted so large an audience. Allie had been delighted at the thought of him driving, so of course, Nathan agreed. After a few false starts, he managed to get them to the Ranch without mishap and was pleased to discover he liked driving. It was different from riding a horse but opened up further possibilities.
Tess walked out to meet the visitors to her Ranch, pleased to see Allie, Nathan and Quinn dressed for riding. She knew Rosemary would likely decline, given her condition, and Lee would never leave her alone.
"Good Morning; how was the rest of your evening?" Tess asked, having left the reception early.
"Exhausting," Allie exclaimed. "Do you know how difficult it is to look after and entertain children?"
The adults tried to contain their laughter; Quinn bit her lip and looked at Tess, who was doing the same. Lee and Rosemary didn't bother hiding their smiles.
"I think I have some idea Allie, especially a group of young girls," Nathan remembered back to Allie's first sleep-over; he had no idea what to expect and was shocked at how much energy they had. And how much noise they made.
"Oh, Dad, that was easy; I mean boys and girls of all different ages. Mrs Winter was lucky to have me there."
"I am sure she appreciated all your help, Allie," said Tess once she had her laughter under control. "I am sure the children were all glad to have made a new friend." Tess glanced at Nathan and smiled at his nod, "I know someone needing a friend and was hoping you could help me by being one to her."
Allie stepped forward, her face earnest, "of course Mrs Stewart. Is it someone who lives here in Brookfield?"
"She does for now, but depending on if you two get along, I think she might make her home in Hope Valley." Tess dipped her head and said, "come with me."
Allie frowned at Nathan in confusion before following Tess; the rest of the group let her go first but hurried after her, anticipating her excitement at what was to come.
Allie looked around, confused; she couldn't see anyone in the Barn besides the horses. "Who would you like me to meet, Mrs Stewart?"
"Over here, Allie," Tess called, leaning against one of the stalls.
Still confused, Allie approached her cautiously before looking inside the stall.
Nathan expected Allie to cry out, show some excitement, do something; instead, she stood staring silently at the horse before her.
Nathan stepped up behind Allie and placed his hand on her shoulder. He glanced at Tess before speaking, "are you okay, Allie?"
Allie didn't respond to her father, only nodded her head slowly.
"Don't you like her?" Tess asked. Tess hadn't had much experience with young girls, having raised only a son, but she was also surprised by Allie's reaction.
"She's beautiful," Allie murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
Quinn heard Allie speak and knew she was trying to hold back tears. Stepping forward, she wrapped an arm around Allie's waist, "She is beautiful, Allie. I don't think I have seen a Palomino quite this pretty. Mrs Stewart has an excellent eye for horses."
"Especially horses suited to young women," Tess confirmed.
"Yes, she does," Allie responded, her voice full of awe.
"Do you think you could help Mrs Stewart out Allie and look after this horse for her?" Nathan asked, realising Allie had been stunned into silence. He smiled gratefully at his wife; glad she had gotten Allie talking.
"Forever?" Allie asked, her voice quivering.
"Forever," Nathan stated.
Allie finally succumbed to her emotions, the tears flowing over her cheeks as she turned to her father and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much, Dad; I promise to look after her always."
Allie let go of Nathan and turned to Quinn, hugging her too, "She is going to look so good riding next to Misty Dawn."
Finally, Allie turned to Tess Stewart and threw her arms around her, shocking her. "I promise Mrs Stewart I will look after her and do everything to care for her properly. She will be my best friend."
Tess stood awkwardly before hugging Allie back. "I am sure you will, Allie; otherwise, I couldn't let her go home with you. Do you know what your first job is?"
"What is it?" Allie asked, ready to get straight onto it.
"Getting to know her, letting her get to know you. Once you know each other, you can pick out her name," Tess stated. "A horse's name is very important."
Allie walked slowly into the stall, whispering to the Mare as she approached. Allie might not own a horse, but she had been raised to love and respect them, and it showed.
The adults stood outside the stall, watching as Allie and her horse bonded.
"Well, that was something," Rosemary stated, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Even if this baby weren't making me emotional, I would be crying right now."
Quinn decided to wait with Rosemary and Lee while Nathan, Tess and Allie went for a ride. Quinn could tell Tess was desperate to go with Allie on her first ride but wouldn't intrude unless asked. She looked at Tess's face and knew Allie had worked her magic on the woman.
"Tess, I think you should go with Allie and Nathan; not only do you know the property, but you also know the horse," Quinn said, giving Tess the excuse to go with them. Allie wouldn't have the perfect horse if it weren't for her, and Quinn would get many rides with Allie in the future.
Rosemary, Lee, and Quinn watched them ride away, the smile on Allie's face as bright as the sun shining down on them. The three of them spent the time chatting about the wedding, the Cabin and, of course, the baby. Quinn couldn't wait for it to be her turn to be the one making plans for nurseries and picking names.
The trio returned from their ride full of stories of how well Allie and her new horse had done. Allie was still considering a name for her, not wanting to rush in and pick the wrong one.
As they gathered their things, ready to head back into Town for lunch at the Orphanage, it occurred to Allie that she would have to leave her horse behind.
"Can I come back and check on her this afternoon, Dad, and spend more time with her?" Allie asked. She was going to spend the night with Nathan and Quinn; they had arranged for an adjoining room at the Hotel. "This will be my last chance before she comes to us in Hope Valley."
Nathan hesitated; he didn't want to impose on Tess any more than they had; she had already given up her morning for them.
Tess stood next to Quinn and whispered, "It wouldn't be any bother; she is a joy to have around." Shrugging, she casually suggested, "she could spend the night here if she wanted to."
"Let me talk to Nathan," Quinn said. Despite Tess's gruff tone and feigned indifference, she knew she would love Allie to stay.
Allie followed Tess into the Barn to say a final goodbye to her horse, so Quinn took the opportunity to let Nathan know about the offer.
"It's up to Allie. I suppose I could suffer through another night of being alone with you," Nathan said, earning a whack on the arm from his wife. Laughing, he kissed her quickly before she could back away from him.
Nathan and Quinn pulled Allie aside and asked if she would like to stay with Tess that night. Allie agreed immediately; she wanted to spend time with her horse and liked Ms Stewart. "I would like to, Dad, if that's okay...besides, I think she needs the company more than you and Q.
Nathan ruffled her hair and smiled; Allie had a good heart. "Okay, we will see you tomorrow and discuss how we get your horse home, and maybe by then, she will have a name."
The following morning, after spending a leisurely dinner with Rosemary and Lee, followed by an early night, Nathan and Quinn woke in their room at the Brookfield Hotel. Nathan was lying on his back, holding Quinn in his arms, softly stroking her curls that tickled his chest. Quinn murmured in pleasure, loving the feel of his fingers trailing through her hair.
"Collecting Allie is the only thing that can drag me out of this bed," Quinn said sleepily. Her hand trailed across his chest lazily.
"I know what you mean; I didn't realise just how addictive having you in my arms could be." Nathan's voice was husky from sleep.
Quinn loved seeing Nathan so relaxed; it wasn't often her husband was able to let his guard down; he was always on duty, and everyone could find him when he was in Hope Valley.
"What time do we need to meet, Allie?" Quinn asked him.
"We have some time; we just need to grab some breakfast," Nathan responded, kissing the top of his head.
"I'm not hungry...are you?" Quinn asked, running her fingers across his chest and down his stomach.
Nathan grinned at his wife and allowed his hand to drop from her hair, running it lightly up and down her spine. "Food can wait," he said, capturing her lips in a kiss, rolling them over, and covering her body with his.
Before she got utterly lost in the feeling Nathan was arousing in her, Quinn murmured, "I love you, Nathan Grant."
"Well, well, you two, you missed breakfast," fussed Ronnie Stewart, the owner of the Brookfield hotel. Ronnie was Tess Stewart's brother-in-law but had none of her steeliness.
"That's okay," Nathan said with a slight blush, "we can pick something up at the store."
"I have some pastries left over; I could pack those up for you?" Ronnie offered.
"That would be lovely, Ronnie, thank you. We can eat them on the way to the Ranch to collect Allie."
"Are the Coulter's giving you a lift? Ronnie looked at them hopefully, "you aren't in the market for a motor vehicle, are you? Mr Thompson and his brother drove one here for a businessman to inspect, and he decided against purchasing it."
Quinn and Nathan shared a look, and he asked, "when are the Thompsons leaving?"
"Not until tomorrow morning...should I tell them you will find them later?"
"Why not, but no promises, okay? We agreed Allie would help decide on any car we buy, including the colour, although I am not sure if she knows it is probably a choice of black or black," Nathan explained.
Ronnie laughed; Nathan was right; the car was black. "Alright, now let me get those pastries," Ronnie said, rushing into the kitchen.
"Wow," Quinn said, "my head is spinning, a wedding, a house, a horse and a car." The only thing left was to add a child to their family, but it was too soon to know anything about that.
"Did I hear someone say car?" Lee said, walking up behind them. "There just happens to be a beautiful black Model T outside, begging to be bought by a lucky family."
"We are to pick Allie up and then talk to the Thompson's later," Nathan explained, "as we told Ronnie Stewart, no promises."
"Sundrop," Allie shouted excitedly as Nathan helped Quinn out of Lee's car at Stewart's Ranch.
"Sorry, Allie, what are you talking about?" Nathan asked, confused.
"My horse's name, it's Sundrop. Do you like it?" Allie was bouncing up and down in her excitement.
Nathan walked toward his daughter and hugged her, "I love it; it suits her."
Quinn was next to kiss and hug Allie, "good morning to you, Allie," she grinned. "I think it's a perfect name."
"I'm sorry, good morning, everyone," Allie replied, "I have been bursting to tell you the name I picked."
Quinn looked up as Tess Stewart strolled toward their group. "It was all I could do to stop her running to Town to tell you first thing this morning," she teased.
"And" Allie continued, "Miss Stewart and I worked out how to get Sundrop home. Miss Stewart will visit Hope Valley for a visit and bring her with her."
"Tess, you don't have to put yourself out; we can work something out." Nathan was shocked at Tess suggesting this; usually, she wouldn't take the time away from the Ranch.
"I want to, Nathan; I think it's time I see this Hope Valley you all love so much for myself. Besides, now is a good time for me to be away from the Ranch." Tess stood beside Allie, smiling down at the young girl, "I don't think this one could stand to be without Sundrop too long."
"Alright," Nathan said, "if you're sure, we would appreciate that."
After a final goodbye to Tess and Sundrop, including a few tears from Allie, the Hope Valley visitors piled into Lee's car to head back to Town. On the drive back, Nathan spoke to Allie about the Thompsons and the vehicle they had for purchase.
"You know, Dad, I think you should pick the car, I am happy riding Sundrop for now, so you and Quinn will be driving it." Allie grinned and said, "besides, Mrs Stewart said cars pretty much come in black; maybe by the time I'm old enough to drive, there might be more colours to choose from, and I can pick then."
Lee couldn't hold back a laugh; leaning over, he whispered to Rosemary, "who would have thought Tess Stewart would become a favourite."
"Oh hush," Rosemary said, tapping him on the arm, laughing, unwilling to admit she agreed with him.
"Can you believe you are the proud owner of a motor vehicle?" Lee asked with a broad smile on his face. The look of apprehension on Nathan's face almost had him laughing out loud until he saw Rosie's stern glance.
"With no way of getting it home," Nathan said, frowning. "I didn't really think this through."
"It's fine, I will give you another lesson before we go, and then we can travel home slowly while you get the hang of it." Lee clapped Nathan on the back, "you are a natural, Nathan."
As the Grants and Coulters prepared to leave Brookfield and head home, they were pleased to see Gabe and Lillian walking toward them.
"I didn't think we would see you before we had to leave," exclaimed Quinn."
Blushing, Lillian admitted, "I missed the children."
Nathan laughed, "that's nothing to be ashamed about, Quinn and I missed Allie so much when we were on our honeymoon; we picked her up and took her back to the Cabin with us."
"See," Lillian said to Gabe as she nudged him, and he smiled and shook his head at his new wife. Quinn doubted he would have refused her anything she asked of him, especially regarding the children.
"Besides missing the children, we also wanted to take the time to say goodbye to all of you. We wanted to thank you for being here for our special day." Gabe looked at Nathan and continued, "I wanted to thank you for standing up with me and," he paused, "not giving me too hard of a time."
Nathan and the others laughed, "I just wish you had given me more opportunities," Nathan joked.
Quinn saw the moment Gabe noticed the second vehicle, "did you buy a car, Nathan?" he questioned incredulously. "What will the Mounties say?"
"You mean what will Bill say!"
"True, I do," replied Gabe.
Lee interjected and said, "don't you worry about Bill. I bet he is driving around before you know it. He would hate to be left behind."
"I don't plan on using the car for Mountie work. It's for when we travel back and forth to the Cabin, especially in winter and if I need to get somewhere in a hurry." Nathan thought about Quinn's abduction; that night, he had been pleased to have a car available to quickly get her back to Town.
Nathan was a quick study and had soon gained enough confidence to drive his family home to Hope Valley. He could have let Rosemary drive, but he wanted to do it. He could sense Quinn watching his 'lesson' from Lee closely and wondered how long it would be until she was behind the wheel.
Nathan glanced at Allie sitting in the backseat of the car and smiled at his daughter. Allie had her head on the door and was using her rolled-up coat as a pillow. Nathan grinned, falling asleep on the back of a horse certainly wouldn't have been so comfortable.
Quinn met Nathan's eyes quickly as he looked back away from his daughter, "she looks comfortable."
"Do you want to try and do the same?" Nathan asked, "you didn't get much sleep last night."
Quinn quirked her eyebrow and slid across the seat to snuggle against his side, "that is not something you will hear me complain about."
Nathan looked at Quinn, her head leaning on his shoulder, her hand resting on his leg. Travelling in a car had benefits, although snuggling together on a horse was okay too.
Nathan and Quinn stopped in Town on their way home, Allie insisting on showing off their car to her friends and telling them about her horse.
"We will have to stop buying things, you know," Quinn said.
"We were lucky we got such a good deal on the Cabin and were in the right place to buy the car. If the first buyer hadn't fallen through, I don't think we would have been so lucky with the price." Nathan kissed his wife on the cheek, "I believe you are my good luck charm."
"I don't know, Nathan. I feel I am the lucky one to have you and Allie in my life, so..."
"Rosemary, you need to start slowing down," exclaimed Faith as she watched her friend bustling around the Newspaper office.
"I can't slow down, Faith. I have so much to do before the baby arrives. I don't know how I will ever get it all done." Rosemary huffed as she threw her hands up in the air. She wouldn't admit it, but she was tired.
"You get it all done by letting other people help you," Quinn said, backing up Faith.
"We are here to do whatever you need us to do, Rosemary," Fiona stated emphatically. "Tell us what to do and when, and consider it done."
Rosemary paused as she looked over at the three women, finally allowing herself to smile. "Thank you all so much; it's just that I am used to being the one who gets it all done."
"Exactly," said Faith, "now it is your turn to let us help you." Standing with her hands on her hips, she said, "I am telling you to rest as your friend, but I can make it Doctor's orders if I have to."
"That won't be necessary, Faith," said Lee as he walked out of the storeroom. "For once, my stubborn wife will do as she is told and rest more."
"Lee!" Rosemary began.
"No arguing with me, Rosie; I need you and our baby healthy and happy, which means resting."
"Not all the time, of course, Rosemary." Faith reassured her. "But I want you to cut back on your hours in the office for the next few weeks, try working from home where you can stretch out for a nap if you need it and put your feet up."
"That sounds like a great idea...starting now," Lee said, putting his arm around his wife and leading her towards the door. Lee ignored his wife's stuttering protests as he looked back over his shoulder, "you ladies can let yourselves out, right?"
Quinn laughed at Rosemary's expression, knowing she wasn't truly upset with Lee.
"Well, Ladies, my work here is done," said Fiona, following Lee out. "Will I see you both for lunch tomorrow?"
Quinn and Faith nodded, both of them looking forward to it.
"Well, Faith, that went much quicker than I expected, so I might use the extra time to call in and see my husband on the way back to work." Quinn smiled at her friend.
Faith laughed, "any excuse, huh!"
"Can you blame me," Quinn asked, shrugging, and walking toward the door with a grin.
Faith smiled with Quinn but sighed quietly; she hoped one day to be as happy as her friend. She wanted to find someone who could make her light up the way Nathan and Quinn did around each other. Maybe she would get lucky, and a handsome stranger would come to Hope Valley and sweep her off her feet.