Allie squealed when she spotted Quinn over Nathan's shoulder through the Wiese's open front door. "Quinn," she cried, running toward her, wrapping her arms around her. "When did you get back." Pouting at her father over her shoulder, "why didn't you tell me she was coming home?" she asked him.
"I surprised him too," Quinn explained, hugging her back. "I missed you both so much."
Nathan held up the basket of food he was holding. "I was going to have dinner at the cafe but got it to take away instead. Quinn and I are going to eat at home. Will you join us?"
"Opal and I haven't finished our homework project. Could I stay and finish and then come home?" Allie's face showed her dilemma. She wanted to say yes, but she didn't want to disappoint Opal either. "Mrs Wiese already made us dinner."
Nathan smiled at her, glad she wouldn't leave her friend to do all the work. "Of course, I might even save your dessert for you."
Quinn laughed and said, "you take your time; I will make sure he doesn't eat it all," she assured her.
Leaving Allie to finish her schoolwork, Nathan and Quinn headed to his row house. Reaching out to take her hand, he said, teasing, "if I didn't know any better, I think you were trying to get me alone, Ms Standing. What will the townspeople think?"
"Constable Grant, I am shocked you would accuse me of such a thing," she laughed. "But, since Allie chose not to come with us, I suppose I can tolerate being alone with you," she teased him. "Besides, I am sure plenty of women in this town would love to be in my shoes right now." Quinn loved the way Nathan blushed; he really was adorable, handsome, kind, and funny...she could go on and on. She was grateful to love someone like Nathan, who had integrity and honour, with a genuine devotion to his family and the town.
Nathan squeezed her hand before walking up the stairs and opening the door for her to enter. As Quinn went to pass by, he held out his arm, blocking her passage. "There is a price to pay for entering, Miss Standing."
"Surely a Mountie wouldn't stoop to extortion; besides, isn't bringing dessert with me enough?" Quinn asked, "what else could I possibly give you?" she said, smiling and batting her eyelashes at him, teasing him by pretending to flirt wildly. "There is nothing better than chocolate cake."
"Mmmh, chocolate cake is pretty good. But there is something sweeter."
Nathan bent down and gave her a quick kiss, feeling her smiling against his lips. As he deepened the kiss, he felt Quinn move, and he jumped as she reached out and tickled his ribs. Nathan squirmed and laughed; she was definitely sweeter than any piece of cake.
Quinn laughed as Nathan jumped, ducking under his arm and into the lounge room.
Nathan smiled at Quinn, "you know you don't play fair; I wasn't done."
"You were done giving all the neighbours a show," she exclaimed. "There are some things that should be private," Quinn said, walking over to him and kissing him chastely on the cheek. "Now, how about we heat up that dinner."
Nathan and Quinn worked well together, heating their meal and sharing it between them. Quinn laughed along with Nathan's good-hearted teasing about her skills in the kitchen, unable to argue with him regarding her lack of fish gutting talents. As he teased her, Quinn realised she had yet to cook for him and Allie; they had been on picnics, eaten fish Nathan had cooked plus eaten at the cafe, but someone else always cooked. She would have to organise to cook for Nathan and Allie; she loved to cook and wanted to cook for them.
They caught up on what they hadn't been able to say on the phone as they finished their meal. It was hard to talk about everything in a short time when others might be listening. They tidied up their plates and left them to soak, taking their coffee and a piece of cake to share over to the lounge.
Nathan lifted his arm, waiting for Quinn to snuggle in beside him, enjoying the feel of her tucked against his side. As Quinn rested her head against his chest, he could smell her hair, a soft floral smell, and realised how much he had missed touching her, holding her close, and seeing her smile. They only needed Allie with them to make this evening and every other evening complete.
Nathan thought about the engagement ring upstairs in his drawer, his stomach filling with butterflies; he frowned as he wondered again how he would propose.
"What is it, Nathan? You got a funny look on your face." Quinn asked, concerned. "Is something wrong?"
Nathan grinned down at her, "I am sorry, there isn't anything wrong," quickly changing the direction of his thoughts, he said, "I was wondering how I ever lasted so long with you in Oakville." He kissed her head, "I am also wondering how I will let you go again."
Sighing, Quinn snuggled closer to Nathan, "I know how you feel. I missed you and Allie so much; it felt like time was standing still every moment I was away from you." She laughed, "My time wasn't completely wasted, though; I think I have convinced Sam to move to Hope Valley or at least think seriously about it."
Nathan held her close, "I don't care if you convince the whole world to move here, as long as you're with me." Nathan reached for Quinn's empty coffee cup, taking it from her hands and placing it on the table next to his; drawing her into his arms, he kissed her
Quinn got lost in Nathan's kiss, her arms winding around his neck, holding him close to her. She made a sound of protest when she thought he was pulling away, but he was just drawing her onto his lap. Her breath was ragged, and her lips swollen from the intensity of his kisses, and still, she couldn't get close enough.
Nathan knew he should stop and pull away, but he needed just one more kiss, one more taste of Quinn. He could feel his heart beating in his chest, his stomach swirling with desire for this woman in his arms. Reluctantly he drew back from Quinn, kissing her cheek before placing his lips on her forehead. He rested his forehead against hers before pulling back, staring into her eyes.
Nathan pulled away from Quinn slowly, knowing he had to control the situation, to stop even if that was the last thing he wanted to do. Allie was coming home; she could walk in at any time, and he didn't want her to find them like this. "Quinn darling," Nathan whispered when she tried to bring his lips back to hers, "Allie could be home any minute."
Time meant nothing when Quinn was in Nathan's arms, but she realised he was right, and she sat, resting her head against his chest, trying to slow her breathing. "I am glad one of us kept their head," she murmured. Quinn could feel her cheeks flush with colour as she slipped off Nathan's lap and onto the lounge next to him, her eyes lowered.
Nathan reached out and took Quinn's hand in his, "I don't think I kept my head, Quinn, I was ..." he cleared his throat, "let's just say I didn't want to stop either." Picking up her hand, his lips brushing softly against her knuckles, "I love you, Quinn, and I will never regret losing my head around you." Tilting her head up so he could look into her eyes, he said, "I am sorry if it was too much."
Quinn looked up at him, "No, Nathan," she said, blushing even more furiously if that was possible. "It wasn't too much, I...I was the one who encouraged you." Quinn hastily gathered their coffee cups off the table and carried them to the kitchen. As she put them in the sink, she used the tea towel to fan her cheeks, trying to cool them.
Nathan walked up behind Quinn and put his arms around her, holding her against his chest. "I hope you will always want to encourage me, Quinn," he said. "We just need to be careful; I lose control around you, and I can't afford to do that yet."
Quinn twisted her head to look up at him, "Yet?" she questioned.
Nathan smiled at her, "yes, yet." Kissing her cheek, he opened his mouth to continue, but his next words were interrupted by the sound of the door opening and Allie bursting into the house.
"I hope you made him save me some cake Quinn," she exclaimed before stopping. "Is everything alright? You look funny." Allie said, concerned.
"I am fine, Allie, and delighted to see you. Come sit and eat your dessert and tell me everything I have missed." Quinn said, steering the young girl to the table. Quinn didn't dare look at Nathan, knowing he would be trying his best to hold back a laugh at her expense.
A quick knock at the door got all their attention, and they looked up to see Bill poking his head inside. "Hey everyone, I heard a rumour you were back, Quinn and wanted to call in and make sure it was true. You didn't get sick in Oakville, did you? Your cheeks are flushed?"
Quinn heard Nathan's snort of laughter before he turned it into a cough but refused to look at him; she would make him pay later. "I'm fine, Bill, maybe just excited to be home."
He frowned at her response but decided to let it go. "Well, it's good to see you, and I am glad you're back; there's lots of work to do, especially if we plan on helping Sam, which I do." Looking at Allie, he said, "is that Minnie's chocolate cake?"
Without waiting for an answer, Bill sat down at the table and helped himself to a piece of cake. Quinn shook her head, glad they had gotten extra.
Nathan and Quinn shared a smile now she was finally able to look at him. Nathan walked toward her and lightly took her arm, leading her away from the kitchen. Teasing, he asked, "are you sure you are feeling okay, Quinn? You do look a little flushed."
"Oh, hush you," Quinn laughed, swiping him on the arm.
Nathan leaned down and whispered, "I enjoy making you blush; I like it a lot."
His voice rumbling against her ear, plus the heat of his body next to her, set the butterflies off in Quinn's stomach. She took a deep breath and stepped away from him, screwing up her face as she said, "that's close enough; otherwise, you'll have Bill running for Faith. I know my cheeks are red again," she said, covering them with her hands.
Nathan took pity on her and stopped teasing, giving her a few minutes to herself and went back to join Bill and Allie. Quinn joined them after a few minutes and enjoyed sitting with the three of them, laughing and talking about inconsequential things.
Eventually, it was time for Quinn to head back to the cafe, and Bill offered to walk her, and she agreed, despite wishing for more time with Nathan.
"Allie, step outside with me. I want to show you how bright the stars are tonight." Bill knew Quinn and Nathan wanted a chance to say good night privately. He grinned when Allie rolled her eyes at him, but she jumped up anyway and followed him out.
Quinn chuckled at Allie's eye roll and walked over and put her arm around Nathan. "I think she is on to us."
"I know she is, but at least she didn't argue," Nathan said as he leaned down and kissed her quickly. "I don't intend to waste any time either," he said, kissing her again.
As Quinn and Bill walked home, they took the time to discuss Sam's new case and the different ways they could help her. Quinn was keen to reach out to Sam to get an update and find out the next steps. She wanted to help Isobel as quickly as possible; she knew it was like to have something hanging over your head.
She said goodbye to Bill at the cafe door, placing a quick kiss on his cheek, "Thank you for seeing me home. I will see you tomorrow."
"Are you sure you don't need another day to catch up?" Bill asked. "I am sure Nathan and Allie wouldn't mind spending more time with you. They were miserable without you."
"I was miserable without them, too. I couldn't wait to get back here. I missed more than Nathan and Allie. I missed this town, my friends. I missed you." Quinn admitted to him, smiling when his face flushed.
"Well, it's good to have you home," he said gruffly.
"You know what, Bill, Nathan did ask me to go for a ride with him tomorrow afternoon. How about I come in for the morning and then take the afternoon off. After that, I will be back to work as normal." Quinn suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Bill said, wondering if Nathan had anything special planned for their ride. It was time Bill had a talk to him about Quinn and his intentions.
Bill hurried into the Mountie office, not wanting Quinn to see him and know he was there. He wasn't sure how Nathan would take this conversation, but he needed to talk to him about Quinn.
"Bill, you are out and about early, is everything alright?" Nathan asked, frowning at him, worried. Bill looked stern, but his eyes, while concerned, didn't show alarm.
"No, it isn't. I should have come to see you sooner," Bill said as he sat opposite Nathan at the desk. "I need to talk to you about something important, and I need you to hear me out."
"Of course, Bill; what is it?" Nathan said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the desk, wanting Bill to know he had his full attention.
"It's Quinn," Bill stated. "Sit down," he exclaimed, putting his hands up to halt Nathan; "there is nothing wrong with her," Bill explained as Nathan rose, alarm on his face as he prepared to go to her. "I want to talk to you about her, Nathan, and your plans."
Nathan was confused for a moment, and then he grinned, "are you asking me what my intentions are, Bill?"
"Well, she doesn't have anyone else to talk for her, so I guess I am," Bill said defensively. "I care about her; what's wrong with that?"
Nathan smiled at Bill, so glad the man sitting opposite him was there for Quinn, just as he had been for Nathan. "There is nothing wrong with it, Bill; I am glad you are there for her. She deserves to have people looking out for her."
"She deserves more than that," Bill said, scowling again. "Her whole life imploded when she came to Hope Valley, and she deserves to be happy, to be able to build her life again. It's clear she sees you and Allie in her future, but what about you." Bill continued, standing and pacing around the room, "I know the two of you are courting, but you can't do that forever, and you don't know what might be around the corner."
Nathan saw the pain in Bill's eyes and knew he was thinking about Jack. Jack and Elizabeth had courted for years before finally marrying, and he died within weeks. Nathan understood Bill's concerns, but he had no intention of waiting to ask Quinn to marry him; he just needed to work out how. Deciding to put Bill out of his misery, Nathan slid open the drawer in his desk and pulled out the engagement ring. He had brought the ring to the office just in case Allie found it. "I love Quinn, and she loves me. I don't want to wait to make her my wife, but I just don't know how to ask her to make it special."
"It's special because you ask," Bill said, shaking his head. "Quinn doesn't need the fancy gestures; she needs you and Allie. Trust me, Nathan, just ask her and spend the rest of your lives making every day special."
Bill left Nathan with those parting words, heading to the office to get started. He hoped it wouldn't be too long before Nathan saw sense, and they were engaged and married; he also hoped Quinn didn't mind him interfering.
Nathan sat back in his chair, wondering if Bill was right. Would Quinn care about how he proposed or only that he proposed? He wished he knew; that way, he could do it sooner rather than later and finally settle the butterflies in his stomach.
The telephone interrupted Nathan's thoughts, and he quickly slipped the ring box into the drawer. "Hope Valley Mountie office, Constable Grant speaking," he stated, voice official.
"Nathan, it's Gabe. How are you?" he asked his friend, hoping everything had settled down for him, Quinn, and the town. He was calling to update him on Andrew Booth and tell him his own news.
"Gabe, it's good to talk to you; everything is fine here, quiet in fact, but I probably shouldn't say that aloud. I might jinx myself," Nathan said, smiling.
Gabe laughed along with his friend before growing serious again, "I know what you mean; it's fairly quiet here too now that Booth has been transferred to the hospital in Hamilton. It means his trial will be delayed, but it is the right thing to do. Mary Fielding and her trial will continue without Booth being here." Gabe, having passed on the official news, said, "on a personal note, Lillian and I have finally set a date for the wedding."
Nathan was glad for his friend, he and Lillian were the perfect couple, and he couldn't wait for them to become a family. "That's fantastic, Gabe; congratulations. When is the big day?"
Gabe coughed, "well, actually, it's in 6 weeks. Neither of us wanted a long engagement, so we picked a date for a simple ceremony with dinner at the Brookfield Motel afterwards. We don't need a fancy wedding, just to be together. I hope you will stand up with me as my best man Nathan."
"Of course, Gabe, I would be honoured, and the three of us will come a few days early to help with any last-minute arrangements." Nathan offered, sure Quinn could get the time off, assuming Bill would also be attending.
"The three of you?" Gabe asked, wondering who the third was, curious to know if his friend had news.
Blushing, Nathan was glad that his friend couldn't see him, "Allie, Quinn and I."
"So should we make it a double wedding," he joked, knowing that neither Lillian nor Quinn was likely to agree to it. He was glad Nathan was bringing Quinn; he had intended to ask her to the wedding, along with Sam and Bill.
"Not just yet; I haven't asked her yet." Nathan decided to confide in Gabe, "I don't know how to do it. It's an important question; I feel I need to do something so it is memorable."
"You don't, Nathan, I promise," Gabe assured him. "You will know when the time is right, and then just ask," he said, laughing, "and hopefully she says yes."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Nathan said, laughing with him. After chatting for a few more minutes about the wedding and other minor things, they ended their conversation.
Nathan was glad Gabe had confirmed Bill's idea about how to propose, but he was still no clearer when to ask Quinn to be his wife. Should he ask her at dinner? Near the river? In the meadow where he first said I love you, or maybe the livery where they had met? It was all so confusing.
Sitting up and patting his left breast pocket, he thought of the note he had carried since he received it, 'Welcome home. I missed you, Quinn'. No one had ever left him a message like that, and other than Allie, no one had missed him before either. The day he read the note from Quinn was the day they began their courtship; Nathan smiled, an idea forming.