Chapter 31- The Man Beneath
When Nathan walked back into the house, the parlor had been cleaned and the furniture returned to its correct placement, but the only person on the first floor was Eleanor.
"They all went upstairs to get ready for bed," Eleanor said as she met Nathan in the dining room. "I believe the children requested that Charlotte read to them from that book Allie's been talking about all day."
"Riders of the Purple Sage?"
"That's the one. They wanted to hear a story about cowboys before their adventure starts tomorrow," Eleanor smiled gently, but continued. "Nathan, I'm not sure what's on your mind today, but you should know that girl loves you like crazy. She may not be able to tell you that right now, but that does not mean you're not her world. You and Allie. It is clear to see how much you all mean to each other. I was hoping you would find someone like this. Someone who is your equal. Who completes you. I'm happy that you have one another."
"Thank you, Eleanor." Nathan said as he leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on Ms. Winters' cheek, before turning and climbing the stairs two at a time.
As he neared the second floor, Nathan heard Charlotte's voice coming from the bedroom at the end of the hallway. He quietly crept along the old wooden floor and peeked around the corner of the doorframe so as not to interrupt her story telling.
This was the first time he had heard Charlotte read aloud and Nathan smiled at the different voices and inflections she used in her speech to bring to life the various characters in the story.
She lost her voice. Her pale face, her great, glowing earnest eyes seemed to stand alone out of the gloom of the gorge.
Charlotte sat on one of the lower bunk beds in the girl's room. Her right arm wrapped around Mary Louise enabling her to hold the book in front of them. Allie sat on Charlotte's left side. Leaning and resting her head on Charlotte's shoulder as her eyes followed along with the text. On a chair in the corner was Rosemary, Fred tightly curled into her lap. The slow motion of their rocking and Charlotte's soothing story was causing Fred's eyelids to become heavy. Nathan noted the loving expression that came over Lee's face as he stood behind his wife and looked down at the family scene in front of him. Lillian, Grace, and the rest of the children sat enraptured at the adventurous tale on the remaining beds and available floor space surrounding Charlotte.
"I must tell you- because you mightn't come back," she whispered. "You must know what- what I think of your goodness- of you."
Charlotte must have sensed Nathan enter the room as her eyes shifted from the pages in front of her to take in his presence as Nathan crossed his arms and leaned easily against the door frame. They smiled at one another, before Charlotte continued with the story. Not by looking at the words in the book, but instead choosing to recite the rest of the chapter from memory. Her eyes never leaving Nathan's.
"Always I've been tongue-tied. I seemed not to be grateful. It was deep in my heart. Even now- if I were other than I am- I couldn't tell you. But I'm nothing- only a rustlers girl- nameless- infamous. You've saved me- and I'm- I'm yours to do with as you like… with all my heart and soul- I love you!"
Charlotte and Nathan studied each other. Time seemed to stand still. Neither blinking or breathing, until sweet, little Mary Louise's head drooped and came to rest on Charlotte's chest. The action breaking their moment and causing Charlotte to close the book and hand it to Allie. The rest of the children, realizing it was time to go to bed, made their way to their respective stations. Fred had fallen asleep in Rosemary's arms, so Lee helped her carry the little boy to his bunk in the boy's room down the hall.
Allie made her way over to Nathan, giving him a hug.
"Goodnight, Uncle Nathan."
"Goodnight, Allie. Sleep tight," Nathan returned as he leaned forward to place a kiss on his daughter's head.
When Charlotte had finished tucking in Mary Louise, she noticed Nathan had left his position in the doorway to the girl's room. She scanned her surroundings but did not see any sign of him.
"Goodnight, Ms. Thompson," Allie said as she wrapped Charlotte into a hug.
"Goodnight, my sweet girl," Charlotte squeezed tighter, before leaning back slightly to brush Allie's hair back off her face. "Do you know where Nathan went?"
"I think he is heading to bed now too. He said that we would be getting an early start in the morning so everyone should get to sleep."
"He is right," Charlotte agreed. "If you need anything, I'm staying in Lillian and Grace's room tonight. It is just across the hall."
"I'll be fine but thank you for always being there for me."
"Thank you for always being there for me." Charlotte said as she helped Allie slip under the quilts on the bed she would be sleeping in tonight. "See you in the morning cowgirl."
Newton nickered restlessly and nudged his head against Nathan's shoulder.
"Easy there boy. Just thought I would come by and tell you goodnight too," Nathan said as he soothed his hand up and down the horse's forehead.
"Nathan."
Nathan turned at the sound of Charlotte's voice behind him. The moon above them, cast her skin and hair in an angelic glow. Like the night of their Christmas Ball.
"What are you doing out here so late?" he questioned as she stepped beside him and began stroking Newton's mane. The horse turning his attention to Charlotte, nuzzling into her hands.
"You left so quickly upstairs; I didn't have a chance to tell you goodnight. Little Fred asked Lee and Rosemary to stay here tonight instead of at the hotel, so they are taking the spare bedroom and I'm bunking up in Lillian and Grace's room."
"Seems like your plan may be working, Ms. Thompson."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Constable Grant," Charlotte's eyes twinkled as she turned to look up at Nathan.
Nathan smiled. "I liked your story tonight."
"Have you ever read the book?"
"A few times actually. You remind me a lot of Jane."
"Really? But she's so brave and never afraid to speak her mind."
"Charlotte, you are the bravest woman I know," Nathan's eyes focused on Charlotte's, causing her to blush under his intense gaze.
"Well, it's funny, because I always kind of saw you as Lassiter. A hero who holds true to his values and is always searching for justice. Doing what is right. Protecting those he cares about most."
"Charlotte," Nathan's voice cracked, and he dropped his gaze from hers. "Charlotte, I…"
"Nathan," Charlotte interrupted him as she wove her fingers through his. "You don't have to explain it to me."
She knew? Nathan's mind raced with the impact of what Charlotte was saying to him.
"You don't have to explain it to me. I realize that because of the nature of your job, it is best for you to keep some of your cases, well for lack of a better term, under your hat. Whatever you are helping Gabe with, I can tell it's big. It has been weighing on you all day. I know you don't keep secrets from me and that is why you have been so tense."
"Charlotte, you don't understand…"
"No, Nathan. I trust you. If you think it's best for me to not know the details of a case. I believe you are acting in our best interests. You're protecting us. You, Allie, and I. Be confident in your training and skills. Trust your gut. Doing so is what is going to ensure that you keep coming home to us. To me." Charlotte squeezed Nathan's hands in reassurance. "Just know I'm always here for you when needed. To hold your hand. To make you smile. And when you are ready. I'll be here to listen."
Nathan closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. How many times had he wished Elizabeth would have just trusted him this way? Trusted that he had everyone's best interest at heart. Instead, she always found a way of searching him out. Pushing him. Wanting to know his every action.
But here was Charlotte. Trusting. Guiding. Supporting. Making it known she would always be there for him. No matter what. No matter how he decided to move forward with Beck's arrest.
There was a burning question, Nathan had been meaning to ask Charlotte for quite some time.
"Charlotte," Nathan's voice was barely above a whisper. "Are you afraid of being with me? With a Mountie? Especially after what happened with Jack Thornton."
"I'd be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind."
Nathan's throat tightened and tears threatened to spring from his eyes. It had been a long and emotional day. He was about at his wits end.
"But I've realized you being a Mountie is only a part of who you are. You, Nathan Grant, are so… much… more… than the red serge," Charlotte released her grip from Nathan's. Moving one of her hands to cup the side of his face, rubbing her thumb over his evening stubble. Her other hand came to rest on Nathan's chest right above where his heart threatened to beat out from beneath her touch.
"Nathan, the man beneath the uniform... is the one I fell in lo… is the one I care so very much for."
Nathan felt the tension release from his body as he leaned and rested his head into Charlotte's touch. She loved him. Genuinely loved him. Not just the man in the uniform. But him. Nathan Grant.
He moved his arms low around Charlotte's back pulling her into his embrace. Her face nuzzled into his neck as she wrapped her arms around him and Nathan rested his cheek against the top of her head. They stayed there for a long moment. Safely cocooned into each other.
Finally, Nathan whispered, "As much as I wish we could hold each other like this forever, you better get back inside before Lillian and Grace come looking for you."
Nathan felt Charlotte nod her head in agreement, but still neither of them loosened their grip. Their mutual refusal to separate caused Nathan to chuckle as he willed himself to lean slightly away in order to place a goodnight kiss on Charlotte's forehead.
"Goodnight, Charlotte."
"Goodnight, Nathan."
Nathan watched as Charlotte walked slowly across the yard and up the front steps of the orphanage. She paused at the door and raised her hand to wave at Nathan as she disappeared through the entrance. Nathan stood outside for a moment longer until he noticed all the lights in the house had been extinguished before turning to the cottage, his sleeping quarters for the night.