I apologize for the big gap in time…life has been busy. Shortly after I posted the last chapter I became a Grammy for the first time. We have a beautiful grandson named George. I also quit my job after 30 years and started a new one in a similar field but one that still has a huge learning curve. I am committed to finishing the story and will do my best to get chapters out more frequently.

Chapter 83

Allie was up earlier than usual Saturday morning. Even Nathan wasn't up yet but he was awake enough to hear her down in the kitchen. Grabbing his robe and pulling the belt tightly around his waist, he put on his slippers before finding his way downstairs to see why his 14-year-old was up so before daylight on a Saturday morning. He knew she had work at the café but even this hour was earlier than usual. Leaning against the kitchen doorway Nathan observed Allie scurrying about the kitchen getting coffee ready and trying to be quiet as possible.

"You're up awfully early, aren't you?" Nathan asked.

Allie jumped at the sound of her dad's voice. Allie hesitated before answering that she knew the café would be busy and she wanted to be there to help Uncle Bill. Nathan didn't quite buy that excuse but he wasn't awake enough to probe further. Allie made a beeline out the door where she hopped on Bridget and headed to town.

Returning upstairs Sarah was just starting to stir. Nathan crawled under the still warm covers and reached over wrapping his arms around his wife. His hand came to rest on her growing stomach. She rolled into his arms her lips finding his. Her hands wove through his hair pulling him closer. Nathan pulled back his eyes finding hers. Given the discord in their relationship over the last couple of weeks, the kisses they shared reassured Nathan that, though the last few weeks had been challenging, he couldn't imagine his life without her.

Sarah's eyes were focused on her husband. "I love you Nathan."

"I love you too." Nathan kissed her again holding her close. They lay like that for several minutes until the shrill ring of the alarm clock shook them from their blissful state. "Ugh, I guess it's time to get up. I have to say I certainly like how we started our day."

Nathan suggested they go to the café for breakfast. His reason was two-fold. One, he wanted to have some extra time with his wife this morning. Second, he had a feeling there was more to Allie's early departure for work and he wanted to see if his instincts were correct. He explained as much to Sarah on their drive to town.

Sarah furrowed her brow. "I'm sorry Nathan, I should be paying more attention to Allie." Nathan reached over grabbing her hand and bringing it to his lips reminding her that she's had a lot on her mind as of late.

Stepping into the café Nathan realized Allie wasn't wrong when she said it was going to be busy. Saturday mornings at Abigail's café tended to be a who's who of Hope Valley which is why Nathan and Sarah had been avoiding it for the last few weeks. Too many people and too many questions. On this day a table in the middle of the floor opened up just as they arrived. Nathan pulled out the chair for Sarah and looked around for Allie. He spotted her pouring coffee for her teacher, Laura and a man sitting with her that Nathan didn't recognize.

Nathan caught Sarah's gaze and silently nodded toward Laura's table. Sarah looked over and saw Allie chatting animatedly while spending a bit more time pouring coffee than what was probably necessary. Sarah knew exactly where Nathan was directing her sight. Covering his hand with hers, she leaned forward and whispered into his ear. "Don't worry, I'll find out what's going on." Before he knew it Sarah was making her way over to Laura's table. Nathan shook his head realizing that once Sarah's curiosity flared, there was no stopping her from finding out whatever it was that had spiked her interest in the first place.

Laura saw her friend making a path toward their table and she rose to greet Sarah with a hug. "I've missed you Sarah! How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better." Sarah realized how long it had been since she'd seen Laura. "I've been having a few complications but Faith ran some tests so we're just waiting on the results. We're hoping it's something that can be easily remedied."

Laura looked concerned and pulled out a chair for Sarah to sit down. "Oh, I can't stay. Nathan is waiting for me at our table. I just wanted to come over and say hi."

Laura motioned to Sam. "Sarah, this is my brother Sam. He is here for a visit."

Sarah shook Sam's hand but not before noticing a look exchanged between him and Laura. "Welcome to Hope Valley Sam. Are you planning to stay long?"

"I, uh, haven't really decided yet. I suppose I'll be here as long as Laura lets me stay with her." Sam's eyes seemed to plead with his sister.

Laura quickly added "Sam's graduated school and is trying to decide what he wants to do next."

"Well it's nice to meet you Sam, enjoy your visit. I better get back to Nathan. I think our food has arrived." With that Sarah returned to her table.

Once seated Sarah shared Laura's breakfast date's identity.

"How old do you think he is?" Nathan's voice was tinged with suspicion.

Sarah thought about it for a moment. "I think Sam is her youngest brother so from what I remember her telling me, he's probably about 18. Do you think Allie's a little too interested?"

"I don't know but let's keep an eye on her." After Allie's experience with Robert and her sudden interest in boys Nathan knew it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that Allie would find an older boy, let alone a boy new to Hope Valley, more interesting than the boys she knew from school.

Sarah could see concern flickering in Nathan's eyes. She covered his hand with hers. "Nathan, I can see the wheels spinning. Let me talk to Laura and see how long he's going to be in town before you jump to conclusions where there are none to be had."

Nathan smiled at his wife not just because she'd read his mind…again…but because for the first time in a while it felt like they were communicating well again.

Nathan walked Sarah to the store before going on to his office. Before he left her she leaned up for a quick kiss to his cheek. "I love you Nathan. Have a good day. Thank you for breakfast and don't worry about Allie." Sarah knew her husband and that her suggestion was falling on deaf ears. Truth be told it was one of the things that made her fall in love with Nathan. His love for Allie was unmatched and he would always worry about her. "Allie has a good head on her shoulders even if it does get distracted from time to time."

Nathan chuckled knowing the truth in that statement. This time it was Nathan who leaned in for a kiss but he wasn't settling for a peck on the cheek. With a quick look around he brought his lips to Sarah's and let them linger longer than he normally would on the streets of Hope Valley. "Thank you."

Breathless from Nathan's expression of love Sarah whispered "for what?"

"For knowing what I need to hear and not being afraid to tell me." Nathan stole another quick kiss. "I'll pick you up after work."

That evening over dinner Allie was all talk about her morning at the café but she said nothing about Sam. Nathan and Sarah stole glances at each other both silently wondering if maybe they'd read the situation all wrong.

Sarah went to bed shortly after dinner as she'd still been dealing with tiredness. The dizziness also remained but not as severe as it had been. Nathan helped in the kitchen and went up soon after. He was thankful to see Sarah still awake reading in bed. She set her book aside as Nathan slipped under the quilt. They lay together discussing the events of the day. "How did Steven take the news?"

"He was excited about the opportunity. He's been feeling a bit stifled in Hope Valley and was hoping for a move to a bigger city. He said he and Fiona weren't a thing anymore so there was nothing holding him back."

"Well then I'm excited for him. I'm sure he'll do well wherever he goes. Any word on a replacement?" Sarah hoped whoever it was would arrive soon so Nathan didn't end up doubling up on his duties.

"Not yet but HQ said they wouldn't wait too long. I imagine I'll get somebody fresh out of training. I guess time will tell what we end up with." Nathan rolled onto his side wrapping his hand around Sarah's burgeoning belly. "How are you feeling?"

"I still tire more easily than I'd like but I'm starting to feel a bit better. It probably has something to do with all the red meat your mother is feeding me." Sarah chuckled.

"Well, whatever it takes to get you back to normal. At least whatever normal is for a woman expecting a baby." Nathan rubbed her belly again.

Sarah stifled a yawn. "Excuse me Nathan. As much as I love our evening conversations, I'm afraid I'm going to fall asleep mid-sentence if I don't close my eyes now."

Nathan leaned over to turn off the light on the night stand not losing his physical connection to Sarah. Burrowing himself under the covers he pulled his wife close to him wrapping himself around her like a caterpillar in a cocoon.