Abbie accepted Harrison's arm as they walked back to the boarding house after Jay's wedding.

Abbie's mind was on the look of happiness and love on her brother's face as he watched Sara walk toward him on her father's arm. She was so ready for that look to be on her own groom's face. She knew that groom was the man next to her.

Harrison's mind was on the feel of Abbie in his arms as they had danced earlier. Her small, soft hand in his as they slowly moved among the other couples. Her hazel, almost green eyes staring into his own. Her thin, yet curvy frame only inches away from his, a respectable distance, he would say.

As they stepped up onto the porch he stepped back, again keeping a respectable distance, even though every muscle in him wanted to keep her close.

"Did you have a nice time?" she asked, sitting down on the porch swing.

"Yes, and you?"

"Nothing like a wedding."

"I suppose not." He wanted to join her but he would then be tempted to do something crazy like hold her hand or kiss her and their courtship was very new. Too new to move so fast.

"Aunt Abbie! Did you see me dance with Daddy?" Lily ran up the stairs and jumped up on the swing next to her.

"I did. Did you have fun?"

Abbie grinned, her inherited dimples showing themselves. "Beautiful," he thought.

"Uh huh. Well, night!"

"Night, Lil."

Caleb, Amy, Meri, Logan, and Joe walked up then, signaling an end to Harrison's musings.

"Well, goodnight everyone," he said with a wink to Abbie and a nod to the others, before walking inside.

Amy saw the disappointment in her lovely sister-in-law's eyes as her date walked away.

"Coming, babe?" Caleb asked Amy when she stopped.

"I'll be in in a bit." Caleb nodded and kissed her cheek before ushering the kids inside.

Abbie stood and looked out over the porch railing. It was warm, being June, and the stars were twinkling above her.

"How was your evening?" Amy asked her, standing beside her.

"Nice."

"I'm sorry if we interrupted you."

"You didn't. I think he was just going to head inside anyway." Amy gave her a hug and started to walk away. "Amy?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"When Caleb first kissed you, what was it like?"

Amy smiled and sat down on the swing, patting the spot next to her. Once Abbie was seated, she spoke. "It was perfect. We had been best friends first for probably five years before we started feeling more. Or at least for me. Caleb swears he loved me the moment he saw me when I moved to town."

"Do you think it's better to be best friends first? I mean, what if you just meet and you start liking each other? That could still work, right?"

"Of course. Everyone is different, Abbie."

Abbie nodded. "I really like him, Amy. I've never felt like this before. It's scary and wonderful all at the same time. I just don't know how to do it. Everyone makes it seem so easy to court and fall in love."

"From what I can see, you're doing just fine. My suggestion is to talk to your Mom. Maybe head over for dinner tomorrow."

She thought about Amy's suggestion to talk to her mom most of the night. She hadn't thought of it because she had been living out of her parents house for over a year but a visit was a good idea.

….

The next morning, she made breakfast for everyone like always and then she told her Grandma where she was headed.

Before she knew it she was in her parents kitchen, sipping tea with her mom.

"It's good to have you visit, Abbie."

"I thought it was time."

"Is something bothering you?"

"Not really, but I guess I just…I don't know how to start."

"Is it about a certain bank president?"

"Yes. Before he headed to Chicago, he asked to court me."

"That's wonderful, sweetie. Isn't it?"

"Yes, of course."

"But…?"

"With Amy and Caleb, they were best friends first. With you and Dad, you were too, right?"

"Yeah."

"Harrison and I just met. We don't know each other well. What if it doesn't work out?"

"Sweetheart, not everyone's courtships are the same. Some people know pretty much instantly when they meet. Others don't. Don't give up on your relationship with Harrison before it's had a chance to blossom."

"I don't know how to do this, Ma. I've never had a boyfriend or kissed anyone, or held anyone's hand." She stood and stared out the window for a moment. "Everyone makes it seem so easy." Even Kiki.

"Everyone has a first kiss. Usually, if it's with the right person, it's perfect and it opens up a new world of feelings and emotions. But, sweetie, don't rush if you aren't ready. Harrison seems nice, but spend time with him around others. See how he is with children and women. That will help you know how he will treat you." Elizabeth poured more tea in her cup. "I have an idea. Why don't both of you come over here for dinner tomorrow night?"

"I don't know if he's ready for a Thornton family dinner yet. Everyone's coming, aren't they?" The thought of three of her older brothers in the same room with the man she was courting brought her stomach into her throat.

"Yes. You don't have to but I would love to have all my children home again. Well, except Jay."

…..

THE NEXT MORNING

"Dinner? With all of your family?"

"Yes. I know it's a lot and I understand if you say no. I will be going though."

"I'll go," he said confidently.

"Are you sure? Ten of my siblings will be there along with all their families and Grandma. It's going to be loud."

"Abbie, you forget. I had a large family too. I understand loud."

"I didn't forget. I guess I'm just nervous."

"What about?"

"Scaring you off before we even got a chance," she blurted out before she could think.

"I've already met your parents and a few siblings. I'm not gone yet."

"True." She went to the hook on the wall and grabbed her apron, tying it around her slender waist. "Guess I better get started. Lots of people to feed means lots of food."

"Ok, well, I'm going to head to the bank. I'll see you at four?"

"Yes. Have a good first day at work."

"Thanks."

…..

Kiki walked in the door and tied her apron on. "Ok, sis. Where do you need me?"

"Um…beans I guess."

"You guess? Who are you and what have you done with Abbie? Since when are you unsure about anything?"

"Since I started courting the new bank president and I'm clueless and scared." She wiped her eyes and took a breath.

"Ab? You never cry. You must really like him a lot."

"I do. So much, but I'm afraid he won't want me or that he will be too overwhelmed by our family that he'll want to stop courting me."

"If that happens, he's not the one you should be with."

"I'm afraid of that too! I know it's him, Kiki. He's who I'm supposed to be with. I'm just afraid of getting there."

Kiki hugged her and sighed. She wasn't used to her levelheaded sister being scared and unsure. "Just try not to put so much pressure on yourself. If he survives tonight…"

"If!?"

"When he survives tonight, I think you'll feel a lot better."

Abbie looked at the clock. It was three. She had an hour to make herself presentable for dinner. By presentable she meant not covered in dust or food and her hair tamed somehow.

"You work on the beans and corn. I'm going to take a bath."

"Ok, sounds good."

…..

Cam showed up to walk to the ranch with Kiki at the same time Harrison walked in. Abbie and Charlotte planned on taking a wagon over because of the extra food.

"You young people scoot. I'm going to drive this food over," Charlotte told them once it was loaded.

"We can help, Grandma."

"Nonsense, Abbie. You walk with Harrison." Charlotte pulled herself up into the wagon leaving the young couples to walk.

Cam didn't hesitate to grab Kiki's hand and start walking.

Abbie suddenly grew nervous. "Shall we?" Harrison asked, offering his arm.

"Sure."

"You made a lot of food."

"Yes. There will be a lot of people so I made what I could."

They watched the younger couple ahead of them, talking and walking with ease, joined at the fingers. "How old are they?"

"Fifteen."

"Are they courting?"

"Yes. Cam asked her around Christmas after clearing it with our father."

"Oh. Should I have asked your father? I should have thought of that." Now he seemed worried.

"No, it's ok. They were fourteen at the time. Plus, my parents already know about us."

"They do?"

"They suspected we liked each other. I just confirmed." She squeezed his arm and looked up at him. "How was your first day?"

"Good. First few days will be overwhelming I guess. Learning everything new."

"Yeah. I guess I'm lucky. My job involves doing things I grew up learning to do."

"And you get to work with your family."

"Do you miss your family?"

"Yeah. It worries me a bit that my mom and sister are so far away."

"How long has it been since you've seen them?"

"About six months. Last Christmas I took the train to Boston to see them."

"Harrison? Why did you move here and not Boston? I'm glad you're here but you moved even further away from them."

He stopped walking and grabbed her hands. "When I met you, I knew this was where I belonged. It's that simple. I sent a telegram to my mom before I moved from Chicago and she responded back for me to follow my heart." He kissed her forehead. "My heart brought me here. To you."

Her eyes filled with tears for the second time that day. She was so relieved to hear him say that. "What happens if we don't…I mean what if…I can't believe you took such a huge risk on someone you knew for one day. On me."

"I feel something for you, Abbie. Something strong. I don't think it's much of a risk."

"You do?"

"Yes. I feel like we have so much in common with our families and…I don't think you need to worry about the "what-ifs". I'm not going anywhere."

"We will see if you feel the same way when tonight is done."

He laughed and offered his hand this time. "I have no doubt."

She smiled and took his hand, her heart pounding as she felt his large hand engulf hers, his palm flat against hers as he intertwined their fingers. "I'm glad." She still had doubts but maybe just a few less than before.

….

THORNTON RANCH HOUSE

"Now, Jack, Drew, Will, Caleb. Are you listening?" Elizabeth said sternly.

"Yes, Ma." Jack gave her a wink.

"Abbie really likes this man. I need you all to give him a shot. Please please be nice."

"Ma, I've met him. He's a good guy," Caleb told her.

"Good. Now, Grandma should be here soon with more food. Charlie, Bradley, please go help her bring it in. Carefully."

"Yes, Ma."

"I'll help too," Jack said, standing up.

"Uh, no. You stay here. Boys, you go," she told her grown sons. They all of course went immediately.

Jack snagged a carrot from the bowl next to the stove. "Jack."

"Babe, what are you worried about?"

"I know how you are with your daughters and who they choose to court."

"Do you blame me?"

"Of course not, but Abbie has a strong feeling about Harrison. I've never seen her like this." He opened his mouth to speak but she stopped him with a kiss. "I love you, but.."

"You worry too much. I've met him too and I have no objection to them courting. Except the age difference thing. He's seven years older, Elizabeth."

"Jack. You are five years older than me. It doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, does it?"

"I suppose not."

"He has a good job, so does she, for that matter. He can support her. I see it in her eyes, Jack. She could very easily love him. It wouldn't take much."

"Goodie."