Isobel and Riley shared the first dance together on the makeshift dance floor in the Saloon. Lost in each other's eyes, they didn't notice everyone watching them, or when other couples joined them. First Bill and Sam, then Fiona and Adam, closely followed by Faith and Joshua began to dance. Quinn would have been happy to remain seated watching the children, but Molly and Florence offered to watch them so she and Nathan could share a dance which they happily did.

"So, Bill and Sam?" Nathan asked, confusion and surprise in his voice as he looked at the other couple. "Do you think Sam knows about Bill…or that Bill knows about Sam?"

Quinn laughed, "I don't think Sam or Bill have a clue about the others feelings. They are spending so much time hiding their own feelings they can't see what is right in front of them."

"I have to admit, Quinn. I didn't see it either, I have always seen them as colleagues, people who work well together to get the best outcome for those they are protecting…like you and Isobel." Nathan looked around, his eyes meeting those of fellow guests, wondering if anyone else was seeing what he and Quinn were finally noticing. He caught Rosemary's eye and smiled as she widened her eyes and tilted her head toward Bill and Sam. "It looks like Rosemary knows, so we can count Lee in the number of people who know."

Quinn turned to look at Rosemary and Lee and laughed softly when she saw Lee's head snap around to stare at Bill and Sam. Quinn heard Rosemary's exasperated "Lee!" and knew he had been told not to look but had done the opposite.

"Maybe we should interrupt their dancing, before everyone sees what we are …I would hate for people to be talking about them behind their backs, even if they aren't saying something bad." Quinn looked up at Nathan, waiting to see if he agreed with her that they could swap partners for a dance or two.

"As long as you know what a sacrifice it is for me to let you go," Nathan said teasingly, his tone light but his words true. He managed to keep a straight face when Quinn rolled her eyes at him. Ignoring it, he slowly steered Quinn across the room to Bill and Sam, wondering what their reception would be.

Nathan cleared his throat to get Bill and Sam's attention, then had to do it again when they didn't notice the first time.

"What is it Nathan?" Bill asked, frowning at being disturbed.

"I was hoping to have the chance to dance with Sam," he explained. "I think my lovely wife wants a chance to dance with you too."

Bill hesitated, looking down at Sam who smiled back at Nathan, not looking at him. He really didn't want to dance with Quinn. No, that was unfair, he would be happy to dance with Quinn, he thought, but that meant no longer dancing with Sam. Sam made the choice easy for him, stepping backward out of his arms, and he was left standing alone, feeling the emptiness of not having her in her arms.

"You can have your partner back later," Nathan assured him with a wink, earning him one of Bill's famous scowls.

"I promise not to stand on your toes, Bill," Quinn assured him as she stepped out of husband's arms, her own arms still held out in her dancing stance. Quinn was pleased to see Sam step into Nathan's arms without argument, and the two moved away. Quinn tried to hide her smile as Bill watched Nathan and Sam, "you are going to hurt my feelings if you don't dance with me soon, I feel like I have been abandoned in the middle of the dance floor."

Bill heard Quinn's voice, but it took a moment for her words to penetrate. "Sorry Quinn," he said hastily, stepping toward her and leading them into a slow waltz.

"You seem distracted, Bill. Anything you want to talk about?" Quinn asked, her face a picture of innocence.

"There's nothing to talk about," he said firmly.

"Really? It's me Bill. I know the face you pull when you are hiding something," Quinn said gently. "If it helps, I don't think you are the only one who is hiding something."

"What does that mean, I'm not hiding something…who else is hiding something?" Bill asked, his brow furrowed, cheeks flushed.

"Sam." Quinn said simply, biting her lip to stop from laughing when he tripped over his own feet. "It's clear to everyone you have feelings for each other."

"What!" Bill exclaimed, a little too loudly, gaining the attention of the couples around them. Unable to make eye contact he said, "that's ridiculous," lowering his voice he repeated, "ridiculous."

"Is it, Bill?" Quinn asked seriously. "I spend the most time of anyone around the two of you and I I don't think it's at all ridiculous. It would be perfect." Quinn stopped dancing, forcing Bill to look at her. "You need to be brave and reach out to her, someone has to be willing to take the risk so the two of you can have something wonderful." Staring into his eyes she asked, "will you, do it?"

Bill wanted to argue with Quinn, deny what she was saying but he knew he would be caught in the lie. Was she right? Could Sam have feelings for him too. Bill had been lucky, or unlucky in love, depending on how you looked at it. He had cared for his first wife Nora, but they had never been a love match, marrying to protect her reputation when she fell pregnant to someone else. He had loved Abigail Stanton, but she hadn't forgiven him for not being honest with her about his marriage to Nora. AJ Foster had been …a challenge, and he was attracted to her, but he couldn't get past her criminal history, not when he spent his life fighting against that very thing. Sam, well, other than her age and the fact they worked together, there was no reason they couldn't be together.

Bill's thoughts were whirling around in his head as he considered Quinn's words. Other couples worked together without it being an issue, and there would be no conflict of interest, they were always on the same side. Would people care about their age difference, and did he care what other's thought? Quinn didn't care and she was supportive. Were his concerns only in his imagination? Sam was one of the finest people he had ever known, and she deserved someone who could make her happy. If she felt the same way, didn't they owe it to themselves to grab hold of this happiness?

"Bill, you do know you are supposed to talk to your partner, right?" Quinn teased.

"I'm sorry Quinn, you…I…that's a lot to think about." Bill stammered.

"Promise me you will at least think about it. Please." Quinn said, now the one standing still. "You and Sam are family to Nathan, me and our children. All we want is the two of you to be as happy as we are, and I think you would be together…well." Quinn stopped speaking as her voice broke and she smiled apologetically, blinking back the tears she hadn't expected.

Bill pulled Quinn back into his embrace and commenced dancing, "I will do more than think about it," he whispered.

Quinn beamed up at Bill, her heart full of joy for her two dearest friends. Looking over Bill's shoulder she caught her husband's eye and mouthed, 'say something' grinning at his wide-eyed look of horror as he shook his head. Maybe Nathan wouldn't need to say something to Sam, hopefully Bill would do something about it.

"So do you intend to stay in Hope Valley long?" Mike asked Sarah, as they sat at one of the tables watching the dancing couples. He was trying to think of ways to continue the conversation, without having to dance, he had two left feet and would be too awkward to try and dance and talk.

"I haven't decided," she said casually, not wanting to admit it depended on her brother's reaction, and if she could find some way to support herself in the small Town. She wasn't going home but she wasn't sure if she was staying in Hope Valley either.

"So, no one at home is pining after you?" he asked, desperate to hear her response.

"No one pining after me, or anyone I will miss if my visit is longer than expected," she confirmed with a smile.

"Would you permit me to show you around town, unless you think your brother and Isobel would want to do it."

Sarah laughed, "I don't think my brother will care, his focus is on Isobel, as it should be. I would appreciate you showing me around and I am sure Riley will too."

"I could collect you tomorrow at around ten in the morning, we could make a day of it."

"That sounds lovely Mike, I look forward to it."

"Excuse me, would you like to dance?" A voice said from Sarah's left. Mike and Sarah looked over to see Jo, one of the young men from the Timber mill standing there, looking hopefully at Sarah. Mike's heart dropped, he knew he should have asked her to dance, risked humiliating himself to stay talking to her.

"Thank you so much," Sarah said sweetly, "But I've been travelling for several days to get here in time for the wedding and am a little tired. I'm going to sit out the dancing tonight."

Mike watched the young man walk away, a smile on his face pleased at the chance to continue talking with Sarah. As he watched, he saw Jo ask someone else to dance, and Mike was sure he wasn't a true rival for Sarah's attention.

"If you are tired, I am sure Sam wouldn't mind if you went back to the row house." Mike assured her. Sarah was staying in Isobel's room as she and Riley were moving in above the Infirmary. "I would be happy to escort you."

"I'm not that tired, I just wanted to finish our conversation about tomorrow, and I must confess, I am not much of a dancer," Sarah said as she glanced away as she spoke, a faint blush staining her cheeks at the admission.

A smile broke out on Mike's face, as he replied, "me either." Lowering his voice just a little, he subconsciously leaned toward her, "tomorrow, we could go for a drive around town and the outskirts and find somewhere to have a picnic."

The two continued to talk, blissfully unaware of those around them watching and smiling. Lee smiled indulgently when Rosie pointed the couple out to him. He couldn't remember seeing Mike so animated, at least not around someone he didn't know, he was usually a little more reserved than this around strangers. Love really was in the air tonight.

As the wedding celebration drew to a close, and the happy couple were cheered on their way, Quinn gathered her sleepy children close and together with Nathan, Allie and Cody, carried them out to the waiting car. Cody and Allie were travelling separately, wanting to spend another few minutes with the friends they rarely got to see.

As she stood beside the car, smiling down on her sleeping children, she marvelled at how still they were in sleep, given the never-ending energy they seemed to have through the day. Nathan stood beside her, one arm wrapped around her shoulders as he waved a final good-bye to Lee and Rosemary. Nathan was happy they were on the road ahead of them, that way he could check they were home safely before settling in for the night, although he wouldn't truly rest until Allie was safely inside their home. Nathan and Quinn said good night to Allie and Cody, watching as they walked back to the Saloon and their friends.

Nathan felt a nudge in his side, and glanced at his wife, wondering what she needed him to see. She tilted her head, grinning and he saw Bill, standing beside his car, holding the door open for Sam. Nathan hoped they had a chance to talk on the way home, and were finally honest with each other about their feelings. As he watched, Bill softly closed the passenger door after Sam was settled and began walking around to the driver's side. Bill looked up and made eye contact with Nathan. Nathan could see the expression on Bill's face, …raw fear mixed with hope? Nathan smiled at his friend, giving him a small nod of encouragement. He knew what it was like to open yourself up to someone else, and risk being hurt, but he believed Bill was safe from that happening.

"I can't wait to see the two of them tomorrow, to see if anything has changed," Quinn admitted. "I hope it does, for both of their sakes."

"You don't think now Abigail is back to stay, something might happen between her and Bill?" Nathan questioned. He had heard the rumours of their previous relationship, but they had moved on before his arrival in Hope Valley.

"No, I don't think so," Quinn replied thoughtfully. "I think Bill accepted the end of the relationship many years ago and is happy to be friends with her. I do believe all his romantic feelings are now directed to Sam."

"Good," replied Nathan. "I don't want to see anyone hurt." Nathan opened the door for his wife, helping her into the front seat. When he sat beside her, he started the vehicle and looked around, making sure it was safe to pull out onto the road. As he did, he saw another two people doing the same, and grinned. Mike and Riley's sister Sarah sat together in Mike's car, animatedly talking, both with wide smiles. Turning to Quinn Nathan saw she had noticed too, and they shared a smile. He would like his friend to find love but wasn't sure how long Sarah Langford would be in Town.

"You know there really isn't anything tying Mike to life in Hope Valley," Quinn said as though reading his mind. "I would hate to see Mike leave town, but…"

"Yes, me too. I would love to see him happy, but Quinn, it hasn't even been one day."

"I fell for you in that short a time," she said leaning over to kiss his cheek.

Nathan took hold of Quinn's hand, squeezing it before slowly driving out of Town, taking his family home.

Sam sat upright in her seat as Bill drove them slowly toward her row house. She had been the one to suggest leaving early, wanting to be sure she made it home before Riley's sister Sarah. She had spent some time talking to Sarah at the reception and was happy to have her as a house guest. The butterflies in her stomach had nothing to do with Sarah and everything to do with the man sitting next to her. Dancing with Bill, spending the evening by his side socially, had been wonderful. She had often imagined what it would be like to spend more time with him, knowing it wasn't to do with a case or their work and tonight had given her a taste of it. That should have made her happy, but it didn't, it was the opposite. All tonight had done was shown her what she didn't have.

Sam had never resented the extra work she had to put in to be successful in her career. Many people resented a woman entering a 'man's' world and deliberately made it difficult for them. Bill had never made her feel that way, not even the first time they had worked together, years before. He had always shown her respect and treated as her as an equal. Sam swallowed back a sigh, Bill treated her just like any work colleague. Steeling herself, for the night to end as every other one had, with a quick goodbye and a wave, she plastered a fake smile on her face, and turned to Bill as he slowed the car to a stop outside her home.

"Thank you, Bill." Sam said brightly, "I appreciate the lift home, it was much better than having to wait for someone else or walk home in the dark." Sam frowned as Bill didn't respond to her words. Had she said something wrong. She played the words back to herself, curious at his silence, there had been nothing offensive in her words.

"Sam," Bill blurted out before stopping abruptly. Taking a deep breath, he tried again, "Sam, I was wondering if you would have some time tomorrow to spend with me?"

"Time? Tomorrow, I… yes. Is it a work thing? We could meet at the office after Church."

"No. Not at the office, it's not a work thing," Bill said, his voice rough, almost harsh. "I was hoping we could have lunch, or dinner."

"Oh," Sam stammered, her heart beating fast. She didn't dare assume he meant the invitation as a date. "Yes, Bill, I am free tomorrow. Of course, we can catch up."

"Lunch then?" he said, "I'll pack the food and we will go for a drive after Church. I've ridden around all of Hope Valley in my time and I know some really pretty places to picnic."

"That sounds lovely, Bill. Thank you for the invitation. It will be nice to see somewhere new." Sam cursed inwardly; she was trying to pretend this was nothing out of the ordinary, but she could hear the question in her voice.

Bill nodded and got out of the car, walking around to open her door for her. He had hoped she would be a little more enthusiastic. He had never had any difficulty with dating in the past, maybe this had been a bad idea. He held her hand to assist her out of the car, and finally registered the confusion on her face and realised he hadn't actually said he wanted the lunch date to be just that, a date.

"Sam," he said catching her eye as she stood before him, "tomorrow, our lunch. I didn't ask you to lunch as my colleague, I'm asking you on a date. I thought we should be clear on that, you know …in case you wanted to change your mind. If you do change your mind about going, I won't be offended we can pretend I never asked you on a date. It was a stupid idea I..."

Sam laughed softly at his rambling before placing a finger against his lips, stopping the flow of words. "I don't think it's a stupid idea. I do not want to change my mind." She smiled warmly and said emphatically, "There is nothing I would like more than to go on a lunch date, or any other date with you."

Bill stood there, blinking, until he finally processed her response. She didn't think it was a stupid idea! He couldn't stop the huge grin from spreading across his face, and he took a step toward her. As he opened his mouth to speak, headlights from an approaching vehicle stopped him.

Bill shook his head when he realised it was Mike Hickam in the car, delivering Sarah Langford home. He and Mike were going to have a serious talk on Monday.

"I better go inside with Sarah, Bill. She will need to get settled, and as we know she didn't have time before the wedding," Sam said. "I can't wait for tomorrow and thank you again for the invitation to spend time with you."

"Can I collect you for Church?" Bill asked quickly before turning to face Mike and Sarah, his gaze focused on Sam. When she nodded, he whispered, "See you tomorrow, remember I'll take care of everything."

Sam smiled and discreetly squeezed his hand before turning to greet Mike and Sarah. She hoped her face didn't give away what had just happened between her and Bill. She didn't want to spoil the moment by sharing it with anyone else, at least not yet. Whatever was happening between them was something she wanted to keep to herself, to savour; not forever, but she wanted to have that first date at least. Luckily for the two of them, no one had guessed their feelings for each other.