Nathan could hardly process what had transpired within the past hour. As he rode home after completing his rounds, he had felt an inexplicable draw to this place. Unable to shake the feeling growing in his gut, he had made his way down the road towards the log he had purposefully avoided for the past two years. Though he occasionally allowed himself to imagine a happier ending to their previous interaction here, nothing could have prepared him for Elizabeth's heartfelt confession and profession of love.

Nathan relished the feeling of holding Elizabeth closely in his arms. He felt her nuzzle against his chest and tighten her arms around his waist. He experienced a whirlwind of emotions flowing through him as the pain and doubts from the past years slowly dissipated, making way for a new, more powerful emotion to build – hope. His heart had certainly been put through the wringer, yet he couldn't help but wonder if this singular moment made all that despair worth it.

Continuing to rest his chin on top of her head he pulled his own hands closer together while letting his fingers become entangled in her long silky hair. Breathing deeply he could smell the faintest hints of baby powder and a touch of honey. After a few moments, he found himself starting to thread his fingers down through those long locks. He felt Elizabeth start to vibrate against his chest as her shoulders began to move up and down. Lifting his chin off of her head he glanced down and noticed her lips beginning to upturn into a small smile. "Is something funny?" Nathan questioned.

Elizabeth let out another giggle before responding, "Are you combing my hair?"

Nathan felt his cheeks warm and the slight tightening of embarrassment build in his chest. He loosened his grip around her shoulders and started to pull away from her as he cleared his throat. "I, um…" he stammered but was unable to finish as Elizabeth pulled him back to her, buried her face once more into his chest, and let out a much heartier giggle.

He felt Elizabeth finally let go of him and take a step backwards. "Is this how it's going to be?", Elizabeth asked with a twinkle in her eye and crooked smile on her face. "Reverting back to being shy and awkward around me now that I've poured my heart out to you?"

Nathan felt the tension in his chest dissipate as he let out a laugh of his own. "No…" he said through a large smile, then paused, before his eyebrows creased, "Wait, awkward?!"

Elizabeth's grin was now a full blown smile as she let out another laugh at him. "Nathan, do I need to remind you of what you were like when you first came to Hope Valley?!"

Nathan grinned and countered her saying, "Shy? Maybe. But awkward? No way!" He paused and saw her gazing at him, challenging him with her eyes. "Nope", he continued, "Me? Awkward? Never." Now he couldn't help but laugh out loud as he felt the warmth spreading through his chest from their banter. Oh how he loved when she teased him.

Elizabeth raised her own eyebrows, widened her eyes, and giggled as she responded, "mmm-hmm."

Previously, Nathan would have let the teasing continue or use it as a segue to a safer conversation topic; however, things were different now. For the first time in a long time he felt he could relax and let his guard down around her. Using a slightly more serious tone, Nathan looked Elizabeth directly in the eyes and said, "I have always wondered what your hair would feel like."

Nathan saw Elizabeth's cheeks flush for a moment before she grinned again and responded, "Well, maybe I'll let you do it again sometime."

Emboldened by her response, Nathan replied, "I certainly hope so." He was rewarded with yet another one of Elizabeth's bright smiles. They stood a few moments longer, just grinning softly at one another. "Well," Nathan began as he cleared his throat, "we better start making our way back to town."

"I suppose you're right," Elizabeth responded. As she started to make her way back over to Sergeant. Nathan continued to watch her as she mounted the beautiful horse with the grace and ease of a veteran Mountie.

Nathan picked up his gloves and campaign hat off the ground, brushed off the dirt, and returned them to his hands and head. He walked over, grabbed Newton's reins, mounted him, and made his way over to where Elizabeth and Sergeant were waiting.

As they started slowly down the road Nathan savored the peace of the comfortable silence growing between them. His mind was reeling but his heart was calm and steady; no longer feeling the edginess of nerves that had usually accompanied these intimate moments with Elizabeth. After suppressing his own hopes and desires for so long, Elizabeth's profession brought them bubbling to the surface like an uncorked champagne bottle. To have his deep longings transition from unlikely possibilities to distinct probabilities was overwhelming, to say the least.

Finally breaking the silence, Nathan looked over to Elizabeth and asked, "So, what happens now?"

Turning to face Nathan, Elizabeth said with only the slightest hesitation, "Well, I was thinking, maybe we can start with that dinner I owe you?" She glanced down at the reins in her hands and then back up towards Nathan.

Nathan maneuvered Newton closer to Sergeant, reached out his left hand to place it on top of hers, and slowly guided both horses to a stop. "Elizabeth," Nathan said, "I know there are some things we both will need to work through, but I don't want you to feel indebted to me." Elizabeth's hands tensed ever so slightly beneath Nathan's but soon relaxed under the continued light pressure of his touch and his peaceful observance. "At Goldie's baptism Joseph told us that we are a community of forgiveness and healing, and that when we accept forgiveness, we find peace." Nathan intensified his gaze to ensure Elizabeth could feel the sincerity with which he spoke his words, "I want you to know that you don't owe me anything from before."

"Okay," she whispered cautiously. Nathan saw her take a deep breath, sit up a straighter in her saddle, and repeat the word with more confidence, "Okay."

Nathan released the grip he had on her hands and brought his back to Newton's reins. "Good," he said with a little smirk, "I'm glad we have that settled." He guided Newton down the road and they resumed their journey. "So, dinner," Nathan began again, "I think that could be arranged."

"Oh, you do, do you?" Elizabeth teased.

Nathan responded without delay, "Absolutely." He paused momentarily and glanced down, then continued, "Is tonight too soon?"

He looked back up to Elizabeth and saw her smile grow. "Not soon enough," she replied, as they both grinned at each other and then started giggling. "Oh, well, I'll need to arrange for someone to watch little Jack."

Nathan was quick to propose a solution, "I'm sure Allie would be happy to. You know she loves Jack."

Elizabeth smiled, "I know she does. I love watching them together. She is so good with him." Elizabeth paused and her face became much more serious as she asked, "Do you think she will be okay with us having dinner?"

Knowing how much Allie care for Little Jack, Nathan was quick to respond, "Of course, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She's always asking when she can spend time with him again."

Nathan was confused as Elizabeth's expression remained pensive and serious. She cleared her throat before clarifying, "No, I don't mean about watching Jack tonight. I mean, is she okay with us…you and me?"

"Ahhhh….", Nathan muttered as he understood the source of Elizabeth's apprehension.

Elizabeth continued, "I know you're not the only person my actions have hurt." A small frown appeared on Elizabeth's face as he saw guilt pooling in her eyes once more.

Nathan spoke clearly and tenderly, "Allie cares for you deeply. Any ill will she may have harbored, she let go a long time ago. She has always been so forgiving." Nathan tilted his head and gave her a small smirk as he added, "I've given her a lot of practice."

Nathan saw Elizabeth's shoulders relax again and her frown disappear when she said, "Oh, well, I can see why she has mastered that skill."

Nathan's mouth dropped open in mock disgust as he replied, "Hey now!" He couldn't help but smile again after their exchange. He loved the way they could make each other laugh even after conversing about some touchy subjects. "Well, Allie and I can come over later this evening. Maybe around 6pm? Does that work?"

"Sounds perfect," she responded.

They continued their light conversation and fun banter all the way back to the stables. Nathan immediately dismounted from Newton and hurried over to Sergeant's side. "Here, let me," Nathan said as he extended his arms out to her.

Elizabeth initially rebuffed Nathan's request, "I am perfectly capable of getting down on my own."

Nathan stared straight into her eyes and continued to offer his arms. "Oh, I know you're perfectly capable but I like that I am allowed to do this now."

Unable to resist his charm, Elizabeth swung her leg over Sergeant, and started to dismount. Nathan placed both hands at Elizabeth's waist and guided her down to the ground. He felt her back pressing warmly up against his chest. She paused momentarily before turning around to face Nathan. He felt her warm breath tickling his neck as their faces were mere inches apart. Nathan kept his hands on her waist, cherishing her acceptance of his touch, and looked longingly down towards Elizabeth. He saw Elizabeth rise up and bring her head closer to him, placing her lips softly against his left cheek for a lengthy kiss. "Thank you," she whispered, "I can't wait for tonight."

His cheek was tingling from her single kiss and he could feel a warmth continuing to build throughout his entire body. She was going to be his undoing. Nathan exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding as he said, "Me neither."

Elizabeth slowly pulled away from his arms and he immediately felt the loss of her touch. "You need to get back to work and I need to go get ready," Elizabeth told him. They both worked on getting the horses settled in their stalls and then walked out of the stables together.

Before they parted ways, Elizabeth placed her hand on Nathan's arm and said, "I'll see you later. Don't be late, Constable," she said teasingly.

Nathan smiled broadly at her, "I wouldn't dream of it, Mrs. Thornton."

With that, Elizabeth removed her hand from his arm and made her way down the road towards the row homes. Nathan stood and watched until she disappeared into the distance. He turned and made his way back to his office while his mind worked in overdrive, processing the quite favorable events of the afternoon and planning their date for this evening.