Chapter 9- A Day Away

A loud, persistent, knock sounded on the front door of the Grant house the next morning.

"Allie, can you get that?" Nathan asked his niece as he finished pouring a second cup of coffee.

Allie rolled her eyes and set down North and South, another borrowed book from Ms. Thompson's trunk, and disgruntledly made her way to the front door.

"Saddle up cowgirl!" Charlotte's voice carried into the house. Then leaning to the side to see past Allie, Charlotte added "You too, cowboy!"

By the time Nathan arrived at the doorway, he took in the sight before him. There stood Charlotte. Dressed in a burgundy button-down shirt, dark trousers, and cowboy boots. Her hair pulled back and tucked under a wide brim hat. In her right hand was the reins to an already saddled Newton, Bandit, and another horse Nathan recognized from the livery. In her left hand was a newly purchased fishing pole.

"Are you serious?" Allie squealed.

"If it is alright with your Uncle Nathan, I thought we could all ride to that upper meadow you told me about and do some fishing. I already packed us a lunch and don't worry Constable Grant, there is even a fresh batch of snickerdoodles waiting for you."

Nathan smiled at Charlotte; did she just wink at him? Breaking his eyes away from Charlotte he turned his attention to Allie who was staring up at him in unbridled anticipation. "Well, we better get ready."

The trio spent the next hour or so on the meandering trail that led to the upper meadow. Nathan had always enjoyed this ride ever since coming to Hope Valley, discovering the retreat by accident on one of his first investigations in the area years ago. The meadow and lake were at the edge of his territory, but he took any opportunity to visit it. The road that led to the spot was seldom traveled. Only a few homesteads lined the path out of town. The last surveyed piece of property before reaching the meadow was Bill's land that Nathan had considered purchasing a year ago.

Nathan had not believed his luck. Bill's land was beautiful! The river, fed from the lake in the upper meadow, ran through the heart of the property, giving life to everything around it. The land had a level clear spot surrounded by woods, perfect for the home that Nathan had hoped to build for his family. Visions of a life he had so often pictured with Allie, Little Jack, and Elizabeth again found a way of seeping in. A feeling of hurt and loss hit Nathan like a ton of bricks.

I could totally see us living there.

Was met with...

You mean a lot to me. You and Allie both.

It would hurt too much if I lost you the way I lost Jack.

Elizabeth's words, and a sense that she felt the same as he did, caused Nathan to be brave enough to verbally admit his feelings to Elizabeth for the first time. Saying I love you. Not once. But twice. Elizabeth's response of I can't, still seemed to float through his memory like a well shot arrow to its target.

Nathan had never shown, or even told Allie, about Bill's property. One of the few things that was left unsaid between the two of them. It was just the two of them and the row house near town served Nathan and Allie well. The house was only a short walk to the school or Nathan's office, and it also allowed there to be no shortage of people willing to look after Allie if he had to go out of town on an assignment.

Nathan hadn't returned back to Bill's property since last summer, sure he had ridden by the entrance a few times on the way to the meadow, but he hadn't experienced the pull to return. That was until today when an intense feeling came over him. He wanted to show Allie and Charlotte this piece of paradise he had found. He wanted to show all his plans and dreams for what the property could be for them.

Them

The thought scared Nathan. Not just because only moments earlier he had been remembering a year ago when he had those similar visions with Elizabeth, but also because he knew discussing these types of things would be too much for Charlotte at the moment.

She was starting to let him in. Nathan would do everything in his power to protect the trust that Charlotte was so gently starting to give him. Like a bird building a nest. This was going to be done one piece at a time. If a strong wind came blowing through before it was all complete, the home being created would crumble and who knew if it could ever be rebuilt.

Nathan had assumed Charlotte would like the bedside table Joseph had delivered the day before. But never could he have imagined that this, this confident woman, would be the thank you response to his gift.

He was still in shock at the thoughtfulness and playfulness Charlotte had cast onto Allie and himself this morning. Allie had mentioned to Nathan earlier in the week that she wanted to go to the upper meadow fishing once more this summer before school, real school, started in less than a couple weeks. His niece had questioned if Nathan thought they should ask Charlotte to join. He had been unsure. Allie and Charlotte had spent plenty of time together over the past few weeks; fishing, cooking, going to the library, and just enjoying being in each other's presence. The only times that Nathan would be a part of the duo, was usually when they all sat together at church on Sundays.

That was until today when Charlotte boldly entered their lives. Horses and fishing gear in hand, she was ready for a new adventure. A day away. It is just what they all needed.

In the places where the trail would narrow, Allie would take the lead, Charlotte following on her horse, Danny, that Mr. Davis at the livery had loaned her for the ride, with Nathan following behind. Every once in a while, on the journey, Nathan allowed his eyes to take in the scene in front of him. Allie had said Charlotte grew up on a ranch and now seeing her in this setting, he could tell the lifestyle fit Charlotte to a "T".

Charlotte was an excellent teacher, confident in what she did. But on the back of a horse, making her way on a trail, this was the lifestyle that suited her. It was clear as day to Nathan. And seeing her in this way made him want to know more. Who was this woman in front of him? He wanted to know what made her laugh. What her favorite color was. Or even her biggest life dreams? Those intimate details that you learn when spending a life with someone.

When building a life with someone.

As much as Nathan wanted to know about Charlotte's past, he was honest when he told her weeks ago...

You don't have to explain it to me.

Not that he didn't want to understand, support her, and know she could trust him with the details, but part of him knew that if his assumptions were correct about Charlotte's past, Nathan would stop at nothing to bring justice to whoever did this to her. And what frightened Nathan most, is that the type of justice he envisioned using, would not be approved by the NWMP.

His blood boiled at even the thought of someone taking the woman who showed up on his doorstep this morning and making her feel anything less than appreciated, protected, and loved.

Loved.

That emotion came out of nowhere to Nathan.

He had loved Elizabeth and would have married her if she had just been brave enough to be with another Mountie. How did Nathan know that these feelings towards Charlotte were not the same thing? His first connection to Elizabeth was to be her protector. Hadn't that been his first connection to Charlotte as well?

"Penny for your thoughts?" Charlotte's voice cut through the fog of emotions Nathan was currently feeling. She was looking at him now, having pulled back to ride beside him as the trail had widened nearing the lake.

"I was just thinking how natural you are on horseback." Not a lie, but not completely the truth.

Charlotte looked at him a little longer. She read Nathan like an open book and knew there was more to his thoughts, but she ended up staying on the subject he chose, "I grew up on a cattle ranch. I spent plenty of time on a horse, especially in the summer when we would trail pairs up into the foothills."

"When I asked if you rode you said that you "used to"."

"Before today I hadn't ridden since my parents passed away years ago. Since my dad was just the foreman and the ranch was going through some financial problems, they ended up selling off the horses we always used on the ranch. Dad's horse King, mom's horse Poca, and my horse Mac. You understand the connection that is built between a horse and a rider. When they were sold. It was like the last connection to my parents was sold too."

"That's horrible. I'm so sorry Charlotte."

"The loss caused me not to want to ride anymore. I thought it would just remind me of how alone I was in the world without mom and dad."

"Was?" Nathan questioned.

Charlotte paused but looked straight ahead on the trail. "Allie is an amazing girl, Nathan. Thank you for letting her spend time with me. She is the brightest light I think I have ever met. Allie just has this way of making... making everything seem like it will be okay."

Nathan smiled and followed Charlotte's gaze to where it had set upon Allie riding in front of them. "You know, I thought that I was supposed to be a man trying to raise a little girl to be a woman, but really I think it was a little girl teaching me what it means to be a man."

Charlotte turned towards Nathan and smiled. Gosh she was stunning today. Like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Her grey eyes, instead of their normal stormy hue, sparkled like a clear mountain lake on a summer day when a breeze caused little ripples to form. Her smiles, not as harnessed, would move across her whole face. Creating small crease lines on the outside of her eyes and accentuating the dimple Nathan had just discovered on her right cheek. How he wished in that moment he could lean over and place a gentle, playful kiss on that dimple!

"We're here!" Allie exclaimed in front of them, causing Charlotte and Nathan to both turn to take in the scene of the upper meadow.

The lack of rains in the valley paired with the late summer heat had turned most of the grass a dull brown color, but that did not stop the open views of the lake and surrounding area to be magical.

"Oh wow!" Charlotte said, taking in the spot as she swung down from Danny's back.

"Oh wow!" Charlotte repeated, but this time in response to her aching muscles. "I don't think I'm going to be able to move tomorrow."

Nathan and Allie laughed as Charlotte gingerly started to lead her horse to the edge of the tree line. Nathan and Allie dismounted and then followed with their own horses.

"I forgot how many muscles you use when riding. My body is so out of practice." Charlotte lamented as she started unpacking the lunch, she brought for them all to enjoy.

Nathan and Allie helped Charlotte to spread out the blankets and food. Fried chicken, deviled eggs, fresh watermelon, and as Charlotte had promised, a batch of her snickerdoodle cookies.

"I really may have to let out the serge if I keep eating this well Charlotte." Nathan commented as he finished off the last of the cookies, sighing, and leaning back to rest against the trunk of a nearby tree, blissfully happy at that moment.

Charlotte laughed as her eyes raked over Nathan's torso, "I think you will be just fine, constable." A hint of flirtation in her voice.

Yes. Nathan thought.

This is how it is supposed to feel. Allie had already grabbed her fishing pole and headed in the direction of the lake. It was a beautiful Saturday in one of his favorite spots in the world. In the presence of a wonderful woman, who seemed genuinely happy today to be here with Allie and him. Their cares and worries, at least for the moment, seemed to be a lifetime away.

Yes. This is how it is supposed to be.

He still stood behind what he told Elizabeth last year. That love is worth fighting for. But it was a two-way street. He had tried so hard to convince Elizabeth that their love could give them a happy life together. And there was no doubt in his mind they could have made a wonderful home with their blended family.

But the love between Elizabeth and Nathan had always felt like hitting a wall. He could not make it work by himself.

No, it should not be that hard. He wasn't quite sure yet, if what he was feeling between Charlotte and himself was love. Saying it to Elizabeth and having it not be true had made Nathan a little reserved in allowing himself to feel that way again.

What he did know. Is that being with Charlotte was easy and he wished every moment of his days could be spent in her presence. Stealing glances. Making her laugh. Being taken care of. Making her feel safe.

"Thank you for the table. It is perfect." Charlotte's voice again roused Nathan from his thoughts.

"Thank you. For everything you've done for Allie this summer." Nathan replied, "For everything you've done for me."

Charlotte looked at him, her eyes meeting his, "Everything I've done for you?"

"Yes. Leaving dinner for when I got home late from Brookfield. The care package for when I was sick. And all the time you have spent with Allie. That's the most special gift you could share with us."

Charlotte's face flushed under Nathan's intense gaze, finally giving into the pressure and turning away. "I don't know. Some days I think all the time I spend with Allie, it's selfish of me."

"Selfish? How can spending time with a girl who adores you ever be selfish."

"She just makes me feel like a better person. More complete. Allie, this town…" Charlotte paused before continuing. "You."

Nathan's eyes still focused on Charlotte, taking in her profile and the way so many emotions could float across it at one time. Happiness. Sadness. Longing.

"I just feel selfish sometimes because I wonder what I can give you all in return?" Charlotte turned again to look at Nathan, tears had started to form in the corners of her eyes. The act causing her irises to morph into a light crystal blue shade. Enchanting and heartbreaking all at the same time to Nathan.

"Charlotte," Nathan started to reach for her hand, but then retracted it, second guessing the action. He wanted nothing more than to comfort Charlotte in that moment. Wrap her into his arms, pull her close, and tell her how important she was to him. She was the most unselfish woman he had ever met and for her not to see that, crushed him. Again, anger filled him with thoughts of what kind of monster could make this woman feel less than who she really was.

"Charlotte, will you come with me? There is something I want to show you." Nathan said standing up from where he had been leaning against the tree. It took everything in his power not to reach for Charlotte's hand at that moment. But he wanted it to be her to initiate the first touch between them. It had to be her idea.

Charlotte looked away and wiped her eyes with the burgundy shirt collar she wore and then stood to follow Nathan. Neither one said a thing on their walk to the other side of the meadow. The only sounds were the birds and the crunch of the dry grass as they walked through its expanse. Coming closer to the other edge of trees, the sound of moving water caught Charlotte's attention.

"What's that?" Charlotte asked as the noise became louder.

Nathan glanced back over his shoulder at Charlotte. He loved having these little adventures with her. "Just wait."

Within about a hundred feet they came to the edge of a small slot canyon. Years of mountain snow melt had carved the limestone in the area creating a deep crevice where water flowed below.

"Look there."

Charlotte followed where Nathan pointed. In front of them was a small waterfall. Not incredibly tall or powerful. Instead, the cascading water gently poured across the rock face as if it was ribbons dancing in the wind. The pair just stood in that moment taking in the sights and sounds of the space.

"Thank you for bringing me here Nathan. It's like a little piece of heaven on earth."

"I thought you would enjoy it."

Charlotte looked down, shuffling her feet, and kicking a small rock over the edge of the cliffs in front of them. "Did you ever bring Elizabeth here?"

Charlotte's voice was so soft and low, Nathan almost didn't hear the question. "No. I never did."

"Did you want to?"

Nathan thought for a moment. It had never even crossed his mind to bring Mrs. Thornton to this place that had come to mean so much to him.

"No." He finally replied to Charlotte. Again, their eyes met with the weight of Nathan's confession.

"There is one more thing I want to show you. Follow me." Nathan again set off down the path ahead of Charlotte. Winding through the trees a little way until he came to another opening.

"The forget-me-nots!" Charlotte squealed in delight upon seeing the patch of her favorite flowers.

"Beautiful," she whispered, bending down to envelope herself into the blue petals.

"Yes. Beautiful." Nathan agreed although not looking at the flowers, but rather the woman that was quickly piecing together his broken heart.