No sooner had she finished that thought, but Rosemary knocked, already talking as she entered. "Oh, Elizabeth, I'm so excited about going to Union City! Did you talk with Nathan? Are you going to be able to see him and Allie? Did you invite him and Allie to the book signing? Oh, Elizabeth!" she said, "What are you going to wear? We need to make sure you leave him speechless."

Elizabeth laughed at that last statement saying, "Well, leaving Nathan speechless isn't hard since he doesn't talk much, remember?"

Both women giggled, remembering his first day on the job. Lee had kept trying to get him to talk, and then they simultaneously said, "Only talks if there's something to be said."

The two women giggled for a bit before Elizabeth said, "I did talk to him; yes, we will see him, I didn't invite him, and I don't know."

"You don't know what?" Rosemary asked in confusion.

"About what I'm wearing. But in answer to your next question, I don't know why I didn't invite him to the signing." Elizabeth replied knowingly. "Maybe because it will be my first one as the image of the series and the foundation."

"Your right; that was my next question. However, your answer makes me curious about something else."

"Oh?" Elizabeth said, "What would that be?"

"Why are you so nervous about people finding that you're A J Grant? I mean, you are already published as Elizabeth Thornton. So, I'm a bit confused about why you are so unwilling to go public."

Rosemary watched as Elizabeth processed the question and the warring emotions within her. She felt she knew the answer but wanted to know if Elizabeth did, and if she was aware of it, would she admit it.

"I wish I knew Rosemary, but I, unfortunately, don't have the answer for that."

"Elizabeth! You forget I know you, and you do know why. I also think it's something that you need to admit out loud."

"What good does that do? I live here in Hope Valley, and he lives in Union City. It wouldn't change anything and might make things awkward."

"I can't see that it would be more awkward than it already is between you. Elizabeth Thornton, you know that the reason you are not willing to is because of Nathan Grant. Anyone that reads Single Mother knows that you are completely in love with that man. So, I don't understand what the difference is?" Rosemary replied before standing up to go to the kitchen and refill their teacups.

As she allowed the tea to steep, the answer came to her in a flash. "Wait a minute," Rosemary turned to face Elizabeth, "Do you even know whether Nathan read the book or not?"

A pained look came over Elizabeth's face as she said, "I'm pretty sure he has, although I can't say for certain."

"Elizabeth! What do you mean you are not certain? Surely you and Nathan have discussed the book since it was published?" Rosemary said in exasperation.

"No, we haven't. I didn't want to bring it up because I was hoping that he would so I would know how to proceed."

"So, you didn't give him a copy of the book?"

Elizabeth just shook her head in response. "By the time I knew how I felt, he was leaving, and I was reeling from that. Though I also wasn't aware of how much my feelings were displayed in my writing. It was probably a good idea looking back. What if he has read it, knows my feelings, but cannot return them? You know how kind and gentle Nathan is, Rosemary. Not to mention shy and compassionate. He would do whatever he could to avoid hurting anyone unnecessarily."

"But what if he hasn't read it, Elizabeth?" Rosemary said, placing an arm around her.

"Then I wouldn't want him to because it would put him in an awkward position. We are better off as friends, especially since I don't know how it could even work between us. It's not just the two of us but Allie and Jack. I will not risk them being hurt because I was selfish, and Nathan and I could not work it out."

"I understand, Elizabeth, but I would hate to see you miss a second chance at love from fear or a misunderstanding. It's obvious to anyone that sees the two of you together that he loves you too."

"Well, at this point, that's in the past, and I want to focus on the trip. Speaking of which, I have an idea that I wanted to talk to you about. Nathan mentioned that Allie is missing her friends, and I was thinking about inviting Opal, Anna, and Emily to go with us as a surprise. I've even thought of having a slumber party and her stay with us. What do you think?"

"I think that would be wonderful, Elizabeth and I'll plan the party. Oh, I need to make a list because there is so much to be done before we leave." Rosemary said silently, adding, including planning some surprises for you.

"Well, let me talk to the mothers to ensure it's okay before you get ahead of yourself," Elizabeth said, laughing.

Rosemary hugged her back and thought about what Elizabeth had revealed. Maybe it's time for a few surprises for her friend too. With that in mind, Rosemary said, "Well, one thing we can work on is what you're going to wear, and I have a few ideas about that."

"Of course, you would have one; I'd be shocked if you didn't!"

Elizabeth laughed and was glad the conversation had turned away from her and Nathan. She had been wanting to get Rosemary's opinions on that very thing. So, after picking up Jack, they happily went up the stairs to go through her closet. Rosemary suddenly recalled a dress that Dottie had just sent in that would be perfect for her.

"It's stunning, and the shape would complement your figure. When I was unpacking it, I immediately thought of you. You're just going to love it, Elizabeth. So will Nathan."

"Rosemary!" Elizabeth said, exasperated. Her friend's eyes had a certain gleam in them that always meant she was in matchmaking mode.

"What! I'm just making a comment that I think will be true. How you handle that relationship with Nathan is up to you. I wouldn't be your best friend if I didn't point out that I think you should tell him. But as I said, it is completely up to you how you handle things in Union City, and I'm just giving an opinion about the dress. Is that so wrong?"

"No, it's not wrong and is much appreciated. It's just that look in your eye makes me wonder."

Rosemary knew that she needed to distract her, so affecting a hurt look, she said, "Elizabeth, have I ever interfered and betrayed your confidence in the past?"

"Oh no, you haven't, Rosemary, and you have been my rock at times. I'm sorry if what I said implied you did. Let me put Jack back down, and we can have some more tea before you go."

"I think you should talk to the mothers so we can start planning on adding three girls to the entourage. I need to go anyway and get a few errands done before I relieve Clara. I'll send Lee over to watch Jack, and you stop by the dress shop later."

Then she left quickly before anything more could be said. Rosemary made a mental note to ensure she didn't bring Nathan up again. There was a lot to be done, and she needed to get started. Rosemary mentally added one more task to the ever-growing list she was making. Even though there wasn't much time, she thrived on challenges and knew it would all get done.

It had been a long day, and Nathan was ready to go home. There hadn't been any more information discovered since they first found the stolen jewelry. He also couldn't help wondering about what Elizabeth revealed about her suspicions. Somehow as he thought it over, he could easily picture that Lucas was involved somehow. But then, a little voice in his mind suggested that he may be biased in the matter. He might be up to something, but it didn't mean he was connected to the current case. He let out a deep sigh and was grateful that he had Allie waiting at home.

He suddenly smiled as he remembered the wonderful news he had to share and rushed home. He found a beautiful sprawling house on the outskirts of town that had a feel of the country while still being close to the city. It was bigger than they had needed, but he rented from a former Inspector he had previously worked with. It had six bedrooms, a study, a library, a kitchen, and a sitting area. It also had a stable and a bit of wooded area so they could walk around and a great fishing spot nearby. But it wasn't a substitute for living in Hope Valley.

After dinner and cleanup, he and Allie retired to the library as was their custom. They always read together in the evenings and recently discovered a mystery series by A J Grant. They were enjoying it and often had a hard time putting it down. The store owner told them that a new one would be coming out next week, and they couldn't wait to get it since they were almost to the end of this one.

"Allie, before we start, I have a surprise for you."

"What is it, Dad?"

"Well, I had a call from Mrs. Thornton, and they will be coming to the city for business for a few days and want to see us while they are here."

"Really! Wow! Is she bringing Jack too? When are they arriving?"

"She is, but the Coulters and Uncle Bill are coming too," Nathan said.

Allie's obvious delight spilled over onto him, and they talked about that instead of reading the book. Later after Allie was tucked in, Nathan went to prepare for bed as well. Before settling for sleep, he opened the drawer on his nightstand and removed a photo. Only Carson knew that he had it because he was the one who gave it to him as a going-away present. It was one he had taken of him and Elizabeth at Clara's wedding. Since they were only friends, he didn't feel like he could display as he would one of Allie. Somehow with it, just being the two of them taken at a wedding made it too intimate and suggested things that weren't true. So instead, he kept it hidden and said goodnight to Elizabeth every evening before he turned in. Sometimes he would fall asleep wondering what it would be like in real life, and tonight was no different.

Elizabeth sat at her desk, finalizing her latest chapters and jotting down a few questions for Bill. She rubbed her eyes and smiled, recalling how excited the girls were to be going to see Allie. She was excited to see them both but nervous about it at the same time. Since she had seen him last, her feelings had only grown, and she was sure it would be hard to keep them hidden around him. But she couldn't wait for him to see the dress that Rosemary had her try on at the shop because it was perfect for her. She settled herself down into her pillows and drew the covers up. But before she fell asleep, she pulled a photo out of the drawer Carson had given her the day after Nathan and Allie had left. He was the only one who knew that she had it. The photo was taken of the two of them at Clara's wedding. "Good night, Nathan. Sweet Dreams, I love you." It always created a longing in her and made her wonder how it would be in real life. With that, she fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of Nathan.