Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Great-grandmothers, GG Grandmothers, and Future Mothers, out there. And let's not forget the Adoptive Mothers, Step-mothers, and Stand-in mothers, Spiritual mothers, there are mothers of every kind. And every one is wonderful.

There are three cute "encounters" in this chapter - a trio of love, from a trio of couples, for this year's Mother's Day.

Enjoy your day, you deserve it, for all you give all year through. Much love, Sarno

Chapter 112. Two New Beginnings and Some Sweetness

On Tuesday, around 11 a.m., Julia and Faith were both working in the infirmary. Faith was behind the curtain with Rosemary, for her monthly pregnancy check-up. Julia was arranging the last of the items in the shipment she'd picked up yesterday, when Robert came in, to deliver the mail.

Julia let him linger, as he usually did, awkwardly chatting and catching up on all the latest news in the infirmary. Sometimes Julia thought that Robert was becoming the new Florence. Of course, it could be Florence's million questions, when he got back to the mercantile, that fueled his interest. But, whatever the motivation, he was cute and always tried to seem genuinely interested. So Julia always obliged him, and answered all his questions, though usually, as vaguely as possible.

When he was finally gone, Julia thumbed through the letters in her hand. And there it was. A letter addressed to Dr. Faith Carter. From none other than Ben Davis.

This past Saturday, when Julia, Nathan, and Allie had run into Ben in Benson Hills, he'd mentioned that he'd just mailed a letter to Faith, that morning. And it had finally arrived.

Here it was...in Julia's hand.

A huge, happy smile spread across Julia's face. She set the letter down, right smack-dab on top of Faith's desk.

When Faith finally came out, with Rosemary, Julia could not stand the wait. Was Rosemary always this chatty? Of course, Rosemary was always this chatty. But, today was she especially chatty?

Julia helped answer the last four or five of Rosemary's questions, hoping to move things along. And she stood right next to Faith as they finished up, and Rosemary said her farewells.

When Faith at last closed the door, Julia couldn't wait any longer. "Faith. There's a letter."

Faith turned around, curious. "A letter. From whom?"

Julia smiled shy. "Ben."

At the mention of his name, Faith became nervous. "Really?" She fidgeted her hands as she made her way over to her desk, where the letter was now undeniably visible to her.

Faith picked it up. She looked at Julia, her apprehension written on her face.

"Faith, I can go to my apartment, or for a walk." Julia offered, then she had a better idea. "Or better yet, I'll sit outside, give you some privacy, and make sure no one enters." And before Faith could even answer, Julia did just that. She went outside and sat on the bench.

Julia found it amazing how many people passed through the main street of Hope Valley now, in the span of five or ten minutes. Horses, carriages, cars, wagons, pedestrians. Hope Valley was becoming a hub of busy activity. Soon, they might even need a stop sign, or better yet, a stop light.

Julia sat there a good long while, until a certain flash of red appeared out of the corner of her eye. Julia turned her head and smiled. Nathan.

He spotted her right away, sitting on that bench, as he rode down main street. And like yesterday, he brought Newton right up close to the boardwalk, and stopped just in front of her.

"Howdy, Cowboy." She drawled as she stood and moved to him.

He took off his hat and smiled at her. She sighed. "Hi, Jules." He looked behind her, sort of curious why she was sitting outside. "Did you get kicked out?"

Julia giggled low. "No. Ben's letter just came."

Realization spread across Nathan's face. He looked towards the door. "She's reading it now?"

Julia nodded, in huge, big movements, as a content, happy smile spread across her face. Once her dimples were showing, Nathan became putty. Plus, she leaned closer, over the railing of the boardwalk.

Nathan hoped Faith's response would be favorable. He squinted one eye. "Do you think she'll be pleased?"

Julia just held his gaze, and made those dimples again. "I've never seen her like this before. Of course, I never saw her with Carson. But, somehow, I think this is different."

"Different?" Nathan got that look. Was he teasing?

Julia eyed him. "Different. Like when you meet the one."

He smiled crooked. "Well, how do you know when you meet the one?"

She leaned out a little bit farther, bringing her deep blue eyes a little closer, and she looked at him square, but playful. "You just know."

Nathan swallowed hard, gave a slight little nod, and just held her gaze. He knew exactly what she meant. He gave her that charming smile, and answered her. "Oh, I know."

Julia giggled low, and gave him her own little nod. He could be so charming and cute sometimes. "I know too, Lawman."

Nathan gazed at her a minute longer, and then, something out of the corner of her eye, caught her attention. Jake, arriving on Ranger.

He rode right up to them. "Hi, Sis."

Julia smiled at her handsome brother, sitting so tall and impressive up there on his horse. Hope Valley really did have the two most handsome Mounties in all of Alberta. "Hi, Jake. Where are you two off to?"

Jake answered. "Out to one of the oil derricks. Mike just called. Some kind of issue out there."

She figured she could tease him now. "Fiona's not out there, is she?"

Jake chuckled low and looked back towards the barbershop. "No, she's cutting hair today."

Julia told them both. "Okay. Well, I would tell you two to have fun. But, it probably won't be. So…be safe." She looked Nathan square in the eye as she said it.

Jake replied. "You know we will be, sis."

Nathan nodded his agreement and smiled back at her. "You keep me posted, Jules, after…" He glanced toward the door of the infirmary as he said it, and she knew exactly what he was referring to.

"Sure thing, Lawman." He placed his hat back on his head and gave her a little tip.

Both men turned their horses and started off in a walk. But Julia had one more thing to say. "Oh, and Jake!"

He stopped Ranger cold, and turned his head back. "Yea, sis?"

Julia looked up at his long, wavy hair. She got a mischievous look on her face, and motioned down toward the Nichols & Dimes. "Get a haircut!"

Jake and Nathan both chuckled, and Julia joined them. But Jake made an unmistakable glance back at the barbershop.

Then he gave her a shy little wave good-bye, and off those two Mounties went, at full speed, for the oil derrick.

A few minutes later, Faith came out of the infirmary. She sat next to Julia.

And the look on Faith's face gave her away. It was evident that she was happy about the news contained in the letter, even if she did seem a little bit shocked. Julia asked her quietly, "Good news?"

"Ben is moving here. To Hope Valley. He accepted a position to be Nathan's assistant, and…he's…moving here. He…he…" Faith had to stop and take a breath. It was so much to take in. "He wants to pursue a relationship with me, to court me."

Julia smiled big. "And how would you feel about that?"

Faith turned towards Julia. And Julia had never seen such a look on her friend's face before. Faith was…beaming. "I would like it, very much." How could one person be so sure about another person, in the span of a few, short weeks?

"Oh Faith, that's wonderful." She put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm happy for you."

"He chose to send me a letter because he wanted to explain everything. All of his…feelings." Faith told her. "He's so…poignant and…romantic."

Julia smiled. She knew just how that could be. Sometimes the right woman just drew "romance" out of a guy, even if he wasn't previously perceived as romantic. Like or even love, with the right person, just had that effect.

"Oh, I'm sure he is." Julia looked at her, playful. "Men are…romantic...with the right inspiration."

Faith looked at Julia and giggled. "If you say so." She knew so.

Julia wondered about something. "Are you going to answer him? To write him back?"

Faith looked at the letter again, and back at Julia. "I don't know. Maybe I'll just call."

Julia liked that idea. "You could call the Mountie office in Benson Hills. He'd probably be thrilled to hear from you, Faith."

Faith looked shy, but happy. "Thank you, Julia."

"For what?" Julia asked, curious.

"For being a good friend." Faith replied. She stood, headed back inside, and picked up the phone.

Jake had been watching the barbershop all day. He had been waiting for the right moment to go in, when she wasn't busy. Maybe it was ridiculous to think that he could get Fiona to himself, but he just wanted to be alone with her. First, because the emotions between them were currently running so high, he was worried that it would be evident to anyone who saw them together, just how he felt about her. But secondly, he was hoping if he could catch her alone, perhaps they could finally talk. He still wasn't sure what her feelings toward him might be, but he was ready to find out. So, he watched and waited.

Finally, late in the afternoon, there seemed to be a lull, so he ventured. Though once he got close, he realized there was still someone inside. But since Fiona seemed to be finishing up, he entered anyway.

As soon as Fiona glanced up and realized it was Jake who had just come in her door, she straightened. In fact, when his gaze landed on her, she froze, for half a second. Then, she took a deep breath and managed a business-like smile. "Hello, Constable. How may I help you?" She tried to make her voice sound even and normal, even though her nerves were now on high alert.

The man in the chair glanced up, so Jake kept it formal. "Miss Miller, would you have time for a trim?" Jake gave her his handsome smile and that one adorable dimple. Why did her insides suddenly feel all mushy?

She looked down at the back of the man's head she was working on. "I will in about 5 minutes. If you'd like to have a seat, I'll be right with you."

Jake nodded, and proceeded to take off his serge. Fiona tried so hard to focus on the man's hair in front of her, but her eyes just keep wondering to Jake, as he unbuttoned his serge, shrugged his muscled shoulders out of it, and hung it up on her coatrack. It was all she could do to keep breathing even.

Finally, when Jake was seated and out of her line of sight, she was able to get back to the task at hand. She slowly but surely focused, and finished, the last touches on the haircut for the gentleman in her chair. She bent right and left, verifying that all lines were straight and even. Though, as she did, there was just one problem now. She could feel Jake's eyes following her every move, and it was…unsettling.

Finally. "All done, Mr. Green." Fiona turned him toward the mirror. "What do you think?"

The gentleman was satisfied and chatted on about what a great job she'd done, while he paid. Fiona held out his suit jacket, he slipped his arms in, and finally left.

When Fiona closed the door, she was ever aware that they were all alone now. She'd been waiting since Sunday for this, for Jake to turn up for a haircut. Now he was here, in her shop, and she was finding it hard to calm her nerves. Why did he have such an effect on her?

She turned and asked quietly. "Ready, Jacob?" He loved it when she called him that.

Jake stood. He rubbed his hands nervously down his jodhpurs, and looked to her for direction. She motioned to a chair so he moved and sat in it.

Fiona turned him toward the mirror and fumbled a bit as she ran her fingers through his soft waves. She finally made eye contact with him in the mirror. She cleared her throat. "How short would you like it?"

Jake gazed at her through the mirror, unable to take his eyes off of her now, ever since her fingers went into his hair. He really hoped his voice would work. "However you…" He swallowed and hoped his second attempt would sound better. "I trust you, Fi."

Fiona knew she would never get through this if she didn't lighten the tension somehow. Her emotions were right at the surface, and she couldn't escape them - not as long as he was sitting in her chair. So she decided to try a little levity. She cocked one hip and playfully asked. "Are you giving me carte blanche, Jacob? To do whatever I want with your hair?"

Jake smiled up at her through the mirror. "Yes I am, Miss Miller. I think you would be the best judge as to what I should do anyway, don't you think?"

Fiona returned her focus to his hair, looking at it through the mirror, as she pulled up a few pieces here and there, and smoothed it down, then up again. She didn't notice him watching her as she assessed and pondered what would look best.

Finally, she seemed to make up her mind. "Okay, Jacob." Her eyes met his in the mirror. "I think I know just what to do."

She moved a few more locks back in place, then opened her mouth to tell him. But before she could, he just answered. "Fine with me."

Fiona laughed and flipped her hands up. "But I didn't tell you yet."

Jake just smiled. "Fi. I trust you. Whatever you'd like, that's what I'd like."

Fiona just shook her head playfully. "Okay, Jacob Matthews. But, you are taking a big risk, here."

"Nah." He smiled that one dimple back at her. "Some risks...are worth it."

Fiona just smiled, well aware that he was most likely referring to more than just his hair. "You put a lot of confidence in me, Constable."

"Yes I do." He replied softly, never taking his eyes off of her.

Fiona averted his gaze and gently placed a towel across his shoulders. She laid the chair back a little and pulled the rolling water basin right up against his shoulders. "Can you please lay your head back a little?" And he let his head go limp in her hands. Fiona gently laid it back and picked up the water pitcher. Jake's eyes followed her as she poured out water across his hairline. Fiona added soap and softly worked his hair into a lather. And as she worked, she met his gaze for half a second, and realized his eyes were following her every move.

He whispered softly. "Sandalwood."

"Yes. I thought…" Fiona swallowed, "that…you might like it."

Jake answered softly. "That's what I…normally use." He was rambling and knew it, but hoped that the conversation would diffuse the tension that was suddenly present, due to their proximity.

"Yes. I know." Fiona breathed. And she knew it all too well. It had been hard to get his scent - sandalwood and leather - out of her mind ever since he'd held her close, and given her his body heat, in that hole. And now, his scent was once again invading her senses, as she stood over him.

Fiona made herself think of something, anything else, and focused on the task at hand. When she was satisfied with the lather in his hair, she picked up the water pitcher and gently poured water out, working her hands through, to rinse out the soap. His hair was thick and soon, her pitcher was empty. She walked to the back of the shop and exchanged the empty pitcher for a full one. Then she moved around him, rinsing and working out the soap with her hand. Finally, it was done.

Fiona stepped back, removed the rolling water basin, and set his chair back up. She was ever aware of Jake's gaze on her, watching every move she made. His attention made her breathing shallow and uneven. But, she stayed focused.

Fiona gently dried his hair, and when she was done, she placed the towel on his shoulders. She picked up the comb, and slowly worked it through his wet locks. And then, she cut. She moved around him and worked her shears. She took off quite a bit around the sides, but left some soft waves on top. And, of course, just as she'd vowed, she didn't cut much off those cute curls at his neckline.

She moved around him again, verifying with the comb. Then she placed it to the side, and ran her fingers through his hair. Checking the length and making sure it was even. There was one place Fiona was not quite satisfied, so she picked up her shears and cut a little more. And then she stepped back and verified again.

Fiona met his eyes in the mirror. "What do you think?" He turned his head right and left, and nodded his contentment.

"Nice, Fi." And it really was. The shorter length on the sides enhanced his jawline. And the damp waves on top were terribly dashing. He looked very handsome, so handsome in fact, that Fiona felt the intense need to find something else to look at.

She diverted her eyes elsewhere - slowly pulled the ends of the towel up, brushed away the loose hair trimmings, and removed it. "Anything else, Jacob?"

He started to stand up, but just wasn't ready to leave yet. He hadn't managed to start the conversation he really wanted to have. Then there was his longing to be near her. He wanted more time. So he sat back down and said the one thing he could think of, to stay longer. "How about a shave?"

Fiona balked. "A shave?"

"Yes. A shave." Jake spun the chair around and looked up at her. "You do that, right?"

Fiona cleared her throat. "Yes." And she inspected his face. He had a little stubble but not enough to justify a shave. Was this his way of trying her resolve?

By his gaze, she got the message that he wasn't going anywhere, so she moved and got all of the elements ready. She wet a towel and placed it inside the warming box. She frothed the shaving cream and brought it close, and pulled out a clean straight-razor. She placed a towel across his shoulders, and pulled up the headrest on her barber chair.

Jake leaned his head back and watched her. She was even closer now as she took her brush and applied the shaving cream all around his jawline. When she was satisfied, she took a step back, picked up her straight-razor, and visibly took a deep breath.

Her incredible doe eyes met his. "Ready?"

Jake nodded. And he noticed something peculiar - as she lifted her left hand to place it high on his cheek, her hand was shaking. Noticeably. Was he making her nervous? As nervous as he was? He reached up and took hold of her hand. It was forward, but he couldn't help himself, he just wanted to put her at ease.

"You're shaking. What's wrong, Fi?" She was so close and gazed so deep into his eyes.

Fiona spoke softly. Gone was the tough, independent woman. And in her place was the soft, sensitive version of Fiona, the one that Jake loved so much. And she was honest. "You make me nervous."

"I make you nervous?" Jake humored her, tried to make her smile.

He got one dimple. "You know you do." Fiona looked down at her hand in his. "You are just teasing me now."

Jake's green eyes were light and accepting. "I am definitely not teasing you. And you make me just as nervous as I make you." He gave her his one dimple. "Probably more." That got the smile he had been longing for. "A lot more."

Just then the bell on the door sounded, and Fiona jumped back and pulled her hand from Jake's warm, larger one. Her eyes went to the door, and she saw young William standing there.

"Mr. Burnett." She greeted him. "What can I do for you?"

William understood right away, that he had walked in on something. "I can come back, Miss Miller. I didn't mean to…interrupt."

Fiona cleared her throat, tried to sound natural. "You are not interrupting, William. It's a barbershop." She looked at Jake, who, by his expression, obviously didn't agree. He seemed to want to finish their conversation. "What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping to get a trim, if you have time?" He asked.

Fiona replied. "I will have time just after this shave. Would you like to have a seat?" Jake looked up at her. How come every time they were finally getting somewhere, they were interrupted? "Or would you prefer to come back?"

William looked from Fiona to Jake, in the chair, all lathered up with shaving cream, and then back to Fiona. "I can come back. Ten minutes?"

Fiona nodded with a smile, and the bell sounded off again, as the door closed. Fiona turned toward Jake, straight-razor still in hand.

Jake looked disappointed. Ten minutes. That was all he had?

Fiona cleared her throat and stepped close again. She took a deep breath and placed her hand gently on his cheek, above the shaving cream. And she tilted his head just a little. She made the first track through the shaving cream. She wiped the excess on the towel and made another track.

Jake couldn't take his eyes off of her as she worked. When she got to his upper lip, her eyes met his, and she realized he was watching her. The truth was, he couldn't get enough of her. And her scent had been accosting his senses since the moment she'd stepped close. It was definitely lilacs. And there was the ever-awareness of her proximity. She had been so intently focused on his shave, but he was focused on her.

And now, she knew. She had to know. Fiona paused a minute, and took another deep breath. She tipped his chin just slightly, and made one stroke down his upper lip. Then, when she got to his chin, she bit her bottom lip in an unconscious act of concentration. Jake melted even more.

He tried to think of something, anything to say, to get conversation going again. He needed to distract himself from her lips. "Business seems good."

Fiona didn't care about business. She just wanted to get through this, without cutting him. "Jacob. Don't move your lips right now." She was shaving very close to those perfect, rosy lips, and it was hard enough to concentrate.

He closed his mouth and protected them. She giggled soft. "So serious now."

He grinned a little. She got on to the other side of his face. When she was finished, she moved to his neck. She guided his head back a little more and made careful, gentle strokes. When she was done, she went to the warming box and pulled out the hot towel.

Fiona folded it in a certain way, came over, and laid it ever so gently on his face. Though once she got it on him, she stood there holding it, sort of stuck. Her hands on each side of his jawline. His eyes fixed on her, and her eyes on him.

Fiona was searching for something to say, anything, but couldn't manage any words that made sense. There was only this charged energy between them. And to make matters worse, Jake brought one of his own hands up, and placed it on top of her hand. In fact, he tenderly laced his fingers in between her's, as she held his towel.

At his sweet gesture, Fiona's deep breath became an audible gasp.

Jake hoped his voice would come out alright. It was now or never. "Fiona, I…"

And as if on cue, the door opened and the bell sounded.

Fiona jumped and stepped back from him. She pulled her hands away. Jake didn't move, but his eyes went cloudy and then he closed them.

Fiona whirled around. "William." Her voice sounded funny but she kept using it. "Right on time. I just finished."

Jake pulled the towel off of his face, and just looked at the back of her. He made one big sweeping wipe, with little care if the shaving cream was all gone or not. He stood, and she whirled back around to face him. "Jake, I…"

He looked at his feet and back up at her. "It's okay, Fi. You're busy." He looked so very very disappointed, and she hated that look. Oh, how she hated it. "Another time."

Fiona didn't want to wait for another time. She'd had a question she'd been longing to ask him for a long time now. And now, he was leaving. Where had the time gone? Why had she waited so long to ask him? Why was it so hard to put herself out there?

She whirled back towards William. "I'll be with you in just a moment, Mr. Burnett." She couldn't even get her formalities right today.

Fiona turned back to Jake. She stepped closer and was determined. "Jacob, I have a question. I have been wanting to ask you for a while now. Something I would really like to know."

Jake nodded and told her low. "Ask me anything, Fi." He literally meant it. "I'm an open book, for you."

"A long while back, we were having dinner at the cafe, with Faith, and Mike, and your sister, and you mentioned something. You said that women should not only be treated with respect, but with...chivalry." Jake nodded. Of course he remembered. It was a value he held very dear. "What did you mean by that?"

Did Fiona really want to have this conversation in front of William? Jake glanced over Fiona's shoulder and saw that the young man was looking out the window, though he was probably listening. Fiona realized where his eyes had gone, but she didn't care. She wanted to know.

"Tell me what you meant, Jake." She implored.

Jake couldn't deny her. "You are asking my views on how a woman should be treated?"

Fiona nodded. She needed to know.

Jake took a deep breath. "First, there must be equality. Though, equality is a matter of perception - how you view the other person. Accepting them as your equal, your other half." She softened and swallowed hard. "But honor and chivalry are a matter of esteem."

Fiona looked confused. "Esteem?"

"Yes. Esteem." Jake looked over her shoulder again and saw that William was most definitely listening to them now. But Jake didn't care. He would tell her and he would tell her once and for all. "Fiona, one day, when there is a woman in my life, I want her to walk beside me and be my equal. Equal partners in life, in love, in marriage, in family…in every way." He paused and let that sink in. "But, at the end of the day, in my heart, because I love her, I will esteem her. That means...to count her higher than myself."

Fiona tried so hard to swallow now, but couldn't get past the lump that was lodged there. And her hands were shaking now. His words were echoing through her head. One day there would be a woman in his life. Why did that thought make her jealous? Ridiculously jealous. And then...a realization hit her. She longed to be that woman. The woman in Jake's life. Why had it taken her so long to realize it?

He wasn't done. "If we were taking a stroll down the boardwalk, I would want to hold her hand, and support her. If there was a puddle of mud threatening to ruin her fancy shoes, I would want to lift her up and carry her across. If there was a door closed before her, I would want to open it." He made sure she took this next part in. "Not because she is weaker, or needs my help, but because I esteem her."

She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came. Jake continued. "Equality is a matter of the mind, how we view and accept and treat each other." He swallowed now. "But esteem is a matter of the heart, how we love and honor each other."

Fiona was speechless, completely and utterly speechless. And only Jake Matthews could render her that way. Only he had such a powerful effect on her. And it had been his mode of operation since the day he'd strolled into town, and into her life.

Jake could see that he'd hit a nerve. He knew he'd probably gone too far, but all of this he wanted, he needed her to know. He would never want her to change who she is. Not one bit. He wanted her - all of her - exactly as she was. He looked at her, wished there was something more to say, but couldn't find anything. So he laid the money on the counter, moved around her, and walked out the door.

The shrill sound of the bell woke her up, brought her back, from inside her head. Fiona whirled around and stared at the door. Why would he tell her all this? Why had she even asked?

Fiona looked at young William, who had heard it all. She put up a finger. "Um...Sorry, William. Can you excuse me just one minute?" He nodded.

Fiona wasn't letting Jake get away this time. She grabbed his serge off of her coatrack and ran out into the middle of the street.

"Mr. Matthews!" She called out after him. He didn't turn. She ran faster.

"Jacob!" He turned. And she stopped just in front of him. His green eyes were cloudy and dark. And the breath she'd been trying so hard to suck in already, stopped in her throat, when she saw the look on his face.

Fiona had to know. "Why? Why tell me all this? What is the purpose in it?"

Jake answered the obvious. "You asked."

She was still caught up in the storm of emotions now raging inside her. "What are you hoping to accomplish?"

Jake would try to get it out. "Fiona…I…" How can she not know how he felt about her? "I couldn't be anything but honest with you. I didn't mean to upset you."

She looked almost angry, her doe eyes were now stormy and threatening. "Upset me?" She finally managed that swallow, but it was only because of the determination that had risen up inside of her now.

"Jacob Matthews." Even his name was wonderful. "I don't have a single objection left." She swallowed again. "You have demolished all my arguments, destroyed all my defenses, and single-handedly scaled all my walls." She was raw and open and defenseless before him. "Why?"

He gazed at her, took in her dark eyes and freckles. He wanted to touch her, to hold her, to tell her everything. But they were standing in the middle of the street. "How can you not know?"

Fiona stepped close and she took him in. The tension, the energy, the emotion was boiling over and now, it was he who couldn't draw breath. She must feel it, too. How on earth could she not feel it? "If this is a game to you, I will never forgive you."

He rasped, gruffly and just above a whisper. "It's not a game, Fi. You know me better than that, don't you?" He titled his head just so and let his green eyes penetrate. "Surely you must know. I have feelings for you…inescapable, abiding, deep feelings. "

And finally, she was open to them. And honest with herself. "Well here I am, Jacob. I'm standing right in front of you, here, in the middle of the street. No more walls. Just….me." He was undone. Completely and utterly undone. But he didn't move, so she challenged him further. "And I feel those same feelings. All of them. Deeply." Her voice was gruff and raw with emotion, but she saw the way his eyes changed when she told him. They started...to shine. "Now what? What are you going to do about these feelings between us?"

He took one step closer. Now, they stood very close - way too close for the middle of the street. But his better judgement had gone out the window the moment she'd confessed that she returned his feelings. He brought a hand up to her face, and let his thumb trace the softness of her cheek. Oh, he marveled at the softness. He was just leaning in to show her exactly what he intended to do about the feelings between them, when someone came out of the library. The bang of the door was unmistakable. He knew it and recognized it, and so did she.

Jake glanced up, and realized they had been spotted. He let his hand fall to his side but he didn't back up or take his eyes off of her. "Have dinner with me."

"When?" So very very quickly came her response.

"Tonight." He didn't want to wait one more minute. But he still had much to do before his workday was through, not to mention his evening rounds. And then, there was the matter of setting up a date - planning an evening that would be up to his standard, for a first date with someone he cared about, as much as he cared about Fiona Miller. "Wait." He closed his eyes. "Not tonight." He'd spoken too soon. He opened his eyes, looked at the ground, then back up at her. "Tomorrow night."

"Yes." Once again, her answer came quickly.

And with it, came anticipation. Sweet, wonderful anticipation.

And suddenly, it was impossible for Jake to contain his smile.

And when Fiona saw that smile, she couldn't contain her's either. It spread so beautifully across her face. And her smile did things to him. In fact, he loved everything about it - the way her eyes crinkled at the corners and her top lip curled up. And then there were her dimples. Oh, how he longed to kiss those dimples. He let that smile go deep into the recesses of his heart and fill every space with hope. And when she turned and walked toward the barbershop, he was cemented to the middle of the street. Though, he watched her all the way. At the door, when she turned back and realized he was still standing there, right where she'd left him, she smiled at him once more.

Only when she finally disappeared inside, did Jake finally exhale. And he chuckled low - a happy chuckle. He glanced down at the serge draped over his arm, not even remembering when she'd given it to him.

And Jake turned on his heels.

He couldn't believe it.

She said yes.

They had a date.