Chapter 34- Stay

Because of the morning events, the cattle drive got another late start to the day. Although nobody seemed to mind, because Fred had not only been found safe, but had also found a family. Tess Stewart even seemed in a better mood. Whether she liked to admit it or not, Tess always had a sweet spot for little Fred and was happy to see that he was getting a mom and dad who would love him and still bring him back to Brookfield for visits.

Charlotte and Chuck had decided that because of the day's events, they would not push the herd too hard and aim to make their original first overnight stop by late afternoon, which they had accomplished.

As they started settling into tonight's camp, Charlotte realized that Nathan was no longer with the group.

Did he go after a stray?

Did he get into an accident?

Her heart started to race with uncertainty. About the time she was getting ready to jump onto Danny's back and go looking for Nathan, she saw him riding out of the tree line to the southeast.

Charlotte watched as Nathan rode over to the children who were helping to unpack the wagon. He dismounted, walked over, and pulled little Fred to the side. Nathan knelt in front of the boy, said a few words, and then handed a small wild rose to the child.

Fred's eyes lit up as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Nathan's neck for a second before he scurried off to give the flower to Rosemary.

Charlotte's chest swelled and a lump formed in her throat at the scene.

Everything that was Nathan Grant is something Charlotte knew she had never come across before and would never see again. He was her once in a lifetime everything.

Charlotte smiled as she walked over to where Nathan was beginning to unsaddle Newton.

"That was incredibly sweet, Constable Grant."

"It was all Fred's idea. I just helped him out a little bit."

"Still. It was such a wonderful gift."

"Speaking of…" Nathan reached into his saddlebag for something, before hiding it behind his back and walking closer to Charlotte. "Fred inspired me to pick these as well."

Nathan grinned as he produced a small bouquet of flowers to Charlotte.

"Forget-me-nots!" Charlotte squealed as she reached out to accept Nathan's gift. Brushing her fingers gently through some of the petals before standing on her tiptoes and placing a tender kiss on Nathan's cheek.

"Thank you, Nathan."

"If that is the kind of thanks I get for bringing you flowers. Remind me to do it more often," Nathan winked, causing Charlotte to playfully push his shoulder.

"Come on cowboy," Charlotte said, as she reached forward and took Nathan's hand. "Let's help set up camp."

That evening, instead of playing in a stream or taking an evening stroll, the group stayed around the campfire; roasting the marshmallows that Charlotte had packed from Hope Valley.

"Ms. Charlotte," Vincent began. "What did your family do around the campfire when you were growing up on the ranch?"

"Well, we didn't roast marshmallows back then, but we did tell stories. And sing songs."

"Sing songs?"

"My dad did. He always packed along his guitar and would play it around the campfire every night. Mostly he would just strum a tune, but other times he would sing along."

"What kind of songs?" Sophia questioned.

"Oh, lots of kinds. Some of my favorites though were old Irish tunes mom had taught him when they were first married."

"Can you sing us one?" Allie asked as she sat down beside Charlotte.

"Goodness. I'm not sure if I remember one. It's been so long ago."

"Plllleeeaasee…" The children begged.

"Yes. Please." Chimed in the adults.

Charlotte looked around the group with uncertainty until her eyes landed on Nathan's. He gave her a reassuring smile and nod.

"Okay…" Charlotte agreed, her voice slightly shaky.

To calm her nerves Charlotte wrapped her right arm around Allie's shoulders and pulled the girl a little closer, before again turning to look at Nathan. The flames of the fire reflecting in his eyes. She took a deep breath and began in her beautiful, dulcet voice.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Sure it's like a morn in spring

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world seems bright and gay

But when Irish eyes are smiling

Sure they'll steal your heart away.

As Charlotte finished, everyone around the campfire started clapping. Most of all Nathan. Charlotte blushed under the praise.

Charlotte realized then that Nathan had come into her life at such a bad time. When she truly disliked who she was and what she had become. Broken. Damaged. Fading.

But Nathan fought his way in and saved her.

He loved her and by doing so made Charlotte love and believe in herself too.

"You have a wonderful voice," Nathan complimented Charlotte as he came to sit beside her. For some reason tonight, their bedrolls had been set up beside each other, a little way from the rest of the group. Not that Nathan was complaining. He found that he looked forward to these quieter moments where it was just Charlotte and himself.

"Thank you. Other than at church, I don't think I've ever sang in front of others."

"That's not true. You sang 'Happy Birthday' to me a couple months ago."

"That's isn't the same thing."

"Oh?" Nathan playfully questioned. "It's not?"

"No… Well. I don't know." Charlotte was stumbling over her words. She found she did that whenever Nathan gave her that crooked grin of his. "You just make me comfortable, I guess. Your belief in me makes me feel I can do anything."

"I'll happily believe in you. Just the way you believe in me."

Charlotte's cheeks reddened and she had to turn away from Nathan. Busying herself as she readied the bedroll and blanket for sleeping. Although she was not sure how much sleep she would get lying this close to Nathan through the night. Charlotte felt her pulse quicken and a sense of unease wash over her.

Nathan noticed her change. The way Charlotte's muscles tensed. He knew.

"Charlotte. I can move to a different spot, if being this close makes you uncomfortable. There is a room over by the children where I could probably set up my bed tonight."

Charlotte took a deep breath and closed her eyes, like she always seemed to do when trying to chase away the fears of her past. When her eyes opened again, she looked over to Nathan.

"Stay," her voice was breathless and raw.

Nathan gave her another one of his reassuring smiles as they leaned back onto their bedrolls. The fire was slowly dying, accentuating the starlight above them.

They laid there in the quiet, until Charlotte spoke. "Do you see that bright star?"

"Which one? They all seem bright out here."

Charlotte chuckled, before scooching closer to Nathan's side; their shoulders pressed together. She reached for Nathan's hand, stretching their arms out until they were lined up with the correct star.

"There," she said, Charlotte's right eye closed so she could focus on pointing their index fingers into the night sky. "That one. It is called Vega. She's the second brightest star in the whole northern hemisphere."

"She?" Nathan questioned as he entwined their fingers together and lowered their arms back to the ground.

"She." Charlotte smiled. "I read somewhere an old legend that Vega represents a goddess who fell in love with a humble farm boy. That is his star over there, Altair. Because of their forbidden romance the gods placed the Milky Way in between to keep them separated. But their love is so strong that once a year, the two stars come together when a bridge is created to reunite the pair across the night sky."

"Well, that is kind of depressing."

"Depressing? I always thought it was a beautiful story. They at least get to spend one day a year with each other."

Nathan turned his head to the side and gently squeezed Charlotte's hand, bringing her attention to him. "Charlotte. One day would never be enough for me. I want to be a part of your every day."

Nathan's right arm had fallen asleep hours ago, but he refused to move it. After gazing at the stars last night, he and Charlotte had peacefully fallen asleep on their respective bedrolls.

At some point, Nathan was awoken to the feeling of Charlotte's hand being removed from his. Still partially asleep he tried to reach for her fingers, searching them out in the darkness. But before he could reconnect them, Nathan felt Charlotte's body shift, rolling over and coming to rest along Nathan's side, her right leg wrapping deliciously over his.

Nathan took a deep breath. Here was Charlotte, curled up against his body under the starry Alberta skies. Her head had found its pillow on his shoulder. Wisps of Charlotte's hair tickled Nathan's cheek as they blew about from his unsteady breath. Quietly her hand snaked up his torso to rest against his chest, causing Nathan to fold his own hand over hers. Hoping the action would help settle his heart. Its strong beat hammered like the drums he had once heard during a First Nation's dancing celebration many years ago.

Hours later, Charlotte still lay peacefully resting within Nathan's embrace. As much as he had tried, sleep eluded him. Nathan wanted to be fully present for this intimate moment together. Holding Charlotte close. Protecting her. Letting her find comfort and love within his arms.

Even if she did not fully realize what was happening. Charlotte's body had subconsciously searched him out in the night and in no way was Nathan not going to savor every second that she was with him.

That was until the sun began to lighten the night sky. Nathan knew that soon; Charlotte and the rest of the camp would begin their day. As much as he wished he could hold Charlotte like this forever, Nathan knew that if she realized what had happened in the middle of the night, Charlotte would not only be embarrassed, but there was also the possibility of her retracting away from him in fear of their actions.

So, ever so gently, Nathan shifted his body away from Charlotte. Instantly feeling a pang of regret in their separation. Nathan moved his bedroll to lie under Charlotte's cheek where his shoulder had been her pillow throughout the night. She gently stirred with the movement and Nathan held his breath as Charlotte repositioned. Pulling her knees to her chest to ward off the chill of the early morning where Nathan's body had been keeping her warm. He reached over and took one of their extra blankets and covered Charlotte. Tucking in the edges to keep the mountain breeze from his love, before walking over to the campfire. Adding some logs, bringing the fire and his aching shoulder back to life.

The smell of fresh coffee tried to stir Charlotte from her deep slumber. She had not slept this well in years.

What was it about fresh mountain air and starry night skies that made peace seem to settle into every atom of her body?

Okay. Maybe it wasn't just the clean air and beautiful sky, but also her dream. When was the last time Charlotte had remembered a dream upon waking up? A nightmare, yes. But a happy blissful dream? It had been too long.

Last night, falling asleep holding Nathan's hand had seemed to lead her dreams in a certain direction. Well, really one direction.

A direction named Nathan Grant.

In her dream, Charlotte and Nathan were again walking together, fingers interwoven. They followed along the bank of a gentle river that meandered through the heart of a property. The landscape around them was the perfect mix of lush verdant green pastures, aspen groves, and pine forests. Her and Nathan were being so open with each other. Talking about what they envisioned for a future. Their future. The big house on the level, clear spot to their right with a view of the whole meadow. A barn filled with horses, a milk cow, and maybe a few chickens. Cattle grazing in the distance. They discussed their excitement and heartbreak about Allie starting to plan for college. Their little girl was growing up and spreading her wings.

Suddenly, Charlotte had realized. Nathan's hand. It was no longer within hers. Where had he gone?

In her dreams, Charlotte searched for Nathan. For a second, fear of something happening to him made her heart race.

She was walking around in a forest. The fog thick and air cold in the mountains around her. Charlotte was confused. Turning. Trying to find a landmark that looked familiar.

Then he appeared. His red serge calling to her from the mute grey world she had found herself lost in. They ran to each other. Nathan pulling her into his side. Charlotte's head resting on his shoulder, Nathan's breath warm and comforting on her cheek. Her hand found its way to his chest to feel Nathan's beating heart. He was here. He was real.

What they shared was real.

Charlotte's dream helped her realize she was grateful every day she had Nathan in her life because so many things could have kept them from meeting each other, from being together. So many things could have happened, and she will forever be grateful that somehow, they ended up together. That somehow, in this infinite universe, they found each other. Charlotte would always be grateful for that. She would always be grateful for him.

Charlotte shivered. A cold breeze on the back of her neck stirring her the rest of the way awake. Leaving the comfort of her beautiful dream behind.

But her eyes opened to something better than her dreams.

Reality.

"Morning." Nathan's smile was brighter than the rising sun. "You seemed to have slept well."

"Mmmm…" Charlotte's cheeks flushed as she pulled herself upright. "I did sleep well."

If only he knew why she had slept so well.

She took the tin mug of coffee that Nathan extended to her.

"Thank you for this," Charlotte said, raising the cup in salute to Nathan as he stood beside her.

"You're welcome," Nathan answered. "I figured I better get you going. You slept in a bit."

Charlotte took a moment to look around then and noticed that the rest of their group was already up and finishing breakfast, while some of the adults were taking down camp.

"Oh gosh. I really did sleep well!"

"I don't think we would have left without you," Nathan winked. "But Tess is looking a little impatient, so you better get moooooving."

Charlotte tossed her head back in unrestrained laughter. As silly as some of Nathan's jokes were, she loved this side of him. Jovial. Happy. Never taking himself too seriously and doing or saying little things that he knew would make Charlotte laugh.

This was real romance to Charlotte. She knew true romance was in the gestures. Those little things you do every day to show you care. Going out of the way to make the other person happy. Show that you are thinking of them. Holding their hand in reassurance. Sharing the last piece of cake. Brushing a piece of stray hair off their face. Wanting to know about the pains of their past and the hopes for their future. It's them you want to share the little details about your day with. Them you want to hear laugh at your jokes. It is slow dancing in the kitchen and moonlit walks in a meadow. Romance isn't about buying, it's about giving. Giving your time.

And there was no one Charlotte would rather give her time to than Nathan and Allie Grant.