The next morning, the crew of men came to help Nathan build the rest of the stable. They even brought hay for the horses. The whole stable was completed by noon. Nathan thanked the men and asked if he could reimburse them. Of course, they declined. They told Nathan it was the neighborly thing to do. Nathan was touched by their kindness. He wouldn't have found this kindness is Hamilton.
They let the children out of school early to join in the Founder's Day activities. After Allie came home, they had lunch together and then did a few chores before heading into town.
Once they were in town, Nathan told Allie to go look at the booths while he made a phone call to the family law attorney. Nathan went inside the mercantile to use the phone.
The assistant for the attorney put him on hold.
"Hello." A female voice said on the other line.
"Hello. I'm just waiting for J. Winter to be available." Nathan said.
"This is J. Winters." The woman said.
"Oh. I did not know you were a woman." Nathan said.
"For many men and woman, once they find out I'm a woman attorney, they hang up. The J stands for Jennifer." Jennifer said.
"Ms. Winters, I don't care if your man or a woman. I heard you were the best family attorney in Buxton. And I need your help to keep custody of my niece Allie." Nathan said.
"I looked into your case at the courthouse. Please tell me more about your brother-in-law." Ms. Winter asked.
Nathan proceeded to tell her about the history with Dylan and Colleen. He told her about the divorce between Dylan and Colleen. He told her about Dylan's. Finally, he told her about Colleen's will and how she designated Nathan as guardian.
"This will not be an easy case Mr. Grant. The courts try to reunite children with their biological parents. From what you told me, there is a good chance for you to remain her guardian. Given that her own mother did not want Allie raised by her father gives us an advantage." Ms. Winter said.
"Good. I want her to stay in my custody and so does Allie." Nathan said.
"The hearing is at the end of next month. Why don't you come a day early and we can sit and talk about everything." Ms. Winter said.
"I'll be there. Thank you for your time." Nathan said. The two hung up. After talking with Ms. Winter, a weight lifted from Nathan. He felt like everything was going to be fine for he and Allie. Nathan could enjoy the festivities.
After exiting the mercantile, Allie found Nathan.
"Uncle Nathan! Come watch me try to win a fishing pole." Allie said excitingly.
Nathan smiled and nodded his head. He followed Allie over to the booth. It was a strength test. If Allie could hit the bell, she would win the fishing pole.
Allie grabbed the mallet and whacked the platform to try to reach the bell. She did not make it.
"Let me try." Nathan said.
"I've seen you with an ax. I don't think this will turn out well." Allie said.
"Very funny." Nathan said.
"Good luck." A voice said behind him. It was Elizabeth.
Suddenly, Nathan's heart started to flutter and he got nervous.
"Right." Nathan said. Trying to impress Elizabeth, he did a few arm stretches and put his thumbs in his suspenders to stretch them out.
"Come on Uncle Nathan! It will be winter before you hit it." Allie complained.
Nathan grabbed the mallet and put it over his head to whack the platform but the mallet fell out of his hands.
Allie put her hand to her face in embarrassment.
Nathan blushed. Nathan picked up the mallet again. He put it over his head and whacked the platform. It did not make it to the bell.
"Nice try." Elizabeth said.
"I don't usually cut wood with mallets.' Nathan said.
"Let me try again." Allie said. Allie whacked the platform and on her second try, hit the bell.
"Yes!" Allie said.
"Good job Allie." Elizabeth said.
"Thanks Mrs. Thornton." Allie said.
"I have to get to my booth now. I hope you both stop by and say hello." Elizabeth said.
"We will." Allie said and Nathan nodded in agreement.
"Let's go to another booth." Allie suggested.
Nathan followed Allie to each booth.
After looking at all the booths, Allie found some friends and went off to spend time with them. Nathan carefully made his way over to the kissing booth where Elizabeth was sitting. Nathan watched as the men got their kiss on the cheek. A lot of the people in line were kids from her classes. A few were older gentlemen who had known Elizabeth since she arrived in Hope Valley and those who wanted a kiss on the cheek from a pretty lady.
Once the line of men was gone, Nathan walked over to the booth.
"That was a long line. Those cheek kisses must be special." Nathan teased.
Elizabeth laughed.
"I have been known to give out the best cheek kisses." Elizabeth teased back.
Nathan went over to the booth and stood across from Elizabeth.
"How many women have you kissed in your life." Elizabeth inquired.
"Which kind of kisses are we talking about?" Nathan asked.
"There are different kinds?" Elizabeth asked with a small smirk.
"Of course. Have I kissed women when we both may have had a few too many drinks. I have. Have I had a few kisses under the mistletoe because of tradition. Sure. But a real kiss, I have not." Nathan said.
"And what is a real kiss to you?" Elizabeth asked.
"A real kiss is raw emotion. There is no planning, it just happens. And when the kiss happens, logic and common sense go away. Just emotions. Two people are letting each other in for the first time. They are laying their hearts on the line and being vulnerable which is scary and beautiful at the same time." Nathan said looking straight at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked back at Nathan and locked eyes with him. Nathan could see Elizabeth blushing. Suddenly, she diverted her eyes and looked away from Nathan.
"At least that's a real kiss to me." Nathan said.
Elizabeth's wasn't listening to him. She was deep in thought.
"I'm sure that's how you felt with your husband." Nathan said.
Elizabeth looked back at Nathan.
"Yes, it was." Elizabeth said wiping her eyes. She leaned over and kissed Nathan on the cheek. This kiss on the cheek was longer than any of the other men had. But there was something more to this kiss on the cheek. It felt more like a thank you for letting me remember what love felt like.
"Am I too late?" A voice said.
Elizabeth stopped kissing Nathan on the cheek and Nathan turned around. Lucas was standing there.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Are you still giving out kisses?" Lucas asked.
"Uh, no. My shift is over. Excuse me." Elizabeth said and walked away.
Lucas gave an annoyed look.
"I'm available but I charge more for my kisses." Nathan said jokingly.
Lucas scoffed and stormed off.
After dinner, the Founder's Day concluded with a dance under the stars. Nathan watched Allie dance with her friends. Nathan wasn't much of a dancer. He was convinced that he was born with two left feet. On the last song, Rosemary stood on a chair and announced that the last song was ladies' choice. Nathan got up from his chair and went and stood by the wall to give room for the people who wanted to dance.
Nathan watched Allie walk across the dance floor to a boy who was a couple feet taller than her and a couple years older than her.
"That's just Robert." Elizabeth said standing next to Nathan.
"How old is Robert?" Nathan asked.
"Sixteen." Elizabeth said.
"Sixteen?!" Nathan said.
"All the girls have a crush on him. I wouldn't worry about it." Elizabeth said.
"Easy for you to say." Nathan said.
Elizabeth laughed.
"Would you like to dance?" Elizabeth asked.
"I would but I'm pretty sure I was born with two left feet." Nathan said.
"You can't be that bad." Elizabeth said. She put her hand out.
"You've been warned." Nathan said grabbing her hand. They went out on the dance floor and began to dance.
"Ouch." Elizabeth said when Nathan stepped on her foot.
"I told you." Nathan said.
"Do you know how to sway?" Elizabeth asked.
"I do." Nathan said.
"Let's do that." Elizabeth said. Nathan and Elizabeth began to sway.
"Did my sister ever dance with men at these kinds of functions." Nathan asked.
"I remember a couple of men. Nothing serious though. Dance partners or good conversation is what your sister was looking for." Elizabeth said.
"I just wish she could have had someone who truly loved her." Nathan said.
"She had Allie and I think it was enough for her. But I understand what you are saying." Elizabeth said.
"Everyone deserves someone to love them unconditionally." Nathan said. Nathan looked down at Elizabeth who was looking back at Nathan. Nathan was tempted to kiss Elizabeth but he knew better. She was still vulnerable and putting her heart back together. Meanwhile, Nathan did not want to start something with Elizabeth not knowing where the future lied for him.
The song ended.
"Thank you for the dance." Nathan said.
"You weren't too bad." Elizabeth teased.
Nathan laughed.
"Goodnight Nathan." Elizabeth said.
"Goodnight Elizabeth." Nathan said. He watched Elizabeth leave.
Allie stood next to Nathan.
"Uncle Nathan, can we get some ice cream?" Allie asked.
"Sure." Nathan said. Allie and Nathan started walking to get ice cream.
"Should I tell Robert that I have a gun at home and I'm not afraid to use it." Nathan teased.
Allie shot Nathan a look. Nathan smiled to himself. That was the same look Colleen would give him when he would tease her about boys.