Chapter 35- Always There for You

When they returned from the cattle drive late yesterday, Eleanor had dinner ready to eat. Their first home cooked meal in almost a week was polished off, before everyone took turns taking a quick bath to wash off the dirt and grime of their adventures. As soon as they were finished cleaning up, it was straight off to bed and quickly to sleep.

Since the Hope Valley group was planning on leaving bright and early tomorrow morning, the town of Brookfield had been invited to a going away party tonight for Fred. Charlotte had spent the morning and early afternoon helping Eleanor in the kitchen, preparing for the feast, while Grace and the children worked at cleaning and decorating the house.

Lee, Rosemary, Lillian, and Nathan met early this morning at Gabe's office to complete some of the adoption papers that were needed at this time. Since Brookfield did not have a lawyer or judge, Gabe was the only person able to sign the necessary documents transferring initial custody from Lillian and Grace to Lee and Rosemary. An official adoption ceremony would take place in Hope Valley in a couple months once everything was finalized.

After helping with Fred's initial adoption papers this morning, Nathan had spent the rest of the day with Gabe, reading and taking notes on the file about Beck McEntire. It would not be an easy arrest, but after analyzing the information and formulating a plan, Nathan felt cautiously optimistic about their success in apprehending the criminal and putting him away for a very long time.

Hopefully forever. Nathan thought to himself.

Nathan's mind was clearer today when going through the plans for Beck with Gabe. He attributed the change to everything he had experienced in the past week. Mostly because of Charlotte's confession that she trusted him. That she knew things were weighing heavy on his heart, but that Nathan would know the right time to tell her everything.

Another reason for the renewed focus came from all the time spent with their friends. Riding in the mountains, being a cowboy, the laughter, the Coulter's becoming a family, and the countless moments of love he and Charlotte had shared along the way.

Nathan also felt like he had witnessed Allie growing up before his eyes on this trip. Becoming a beautiful young woman who was so sure and confident in her own skin.

But being here this week in Brookfield made Nathan think of other things in his life. More so a promise he had made to Allie almost two years ago when they were preparing for her adoption ceremony.

Can't you just say something like you promise to never leave me?

That's exactly what I'll say. And that's exactly what I promise.

Nathan swallowed the lump that formed in his throat as he walked down the path that led to the New Hope Orphanage. He could feel his muscles tightening again under the weight of it all. That was until he caught sight of Charlotte nailing some decorations in place for Fred's going away party.

As he neared her, Nathan could hear the faint sound of Charlotte humming. He noticed it had become a subconscious habit she picked up since the night of their stargazing. The night where they had ended up curled together into each other's embrace. Nathan liked to think the humming was because Charlotte was finally happy. Completely happy with where she was. With where they were. So much so, that her happiness seemed to bubble to the surface in the form of a gentle melody.

"Looking good there Ms. Thompson," Nathan called out as he neared.

Charlotte glanced over her shoulder at Nathan's approach.

"You are talking about the banner. Right?"

"Oh…" Nathan paused beside Charlotte's ladder, discreetly moving his gaze from her tempting backside to the decorations she was tacking onto the house. "Yes. I suppose they are looking good as well."

Charlotte grinned and rolled her eyes at Nathan's flattery. But he couldn't help noticing the flush of Charlotte's pretty cheeks deepen slightly in the process.

Nathan held the ladder and watched Charlotte's motions carefully as she shifted to the side to hook the end of her last banner into place.

"There," she said, leaning back slightly to take in her handy work. "I think that looks very festive for Fred's party."

"Is he getting excited?" Nathan asked as he took the hammer and extra nails Charlotte handed to him.

"I think they all are. Lee and Rosemary haven't been able to wipe those smiles off their faces for days." Charlotte beamed, beginning her descent down the ladder.

She had almost made it safely to the ground, when on the third rung from the bottom, Charlotte's long skirt got hooked on her shoe, which caused Charlotte to lose her balance and slip backwards.

"I got you," Nathan caught Charlotte against his body. Saving her from crashing to the ground. His right arm wrapped around her upper back, while his left arm had caught under Charlotte's knees. Holding her like a groom would his bride on their wedding night. He couldn't help smiling at the imagery.

"I guess after being in trousers for the past week I forgot how to dress and walk like a lady," Charlotte quipped as Nathan still held her tightly to his chest.

"Charlotte," Nathan's voice was husky as his face leaned closer to hers. "Believe me, no matter what you wear, you will always be a lady."

Nathan smiled when he noticed Charlotte biting the inside of her bottom lip. Another habit she had recently picked up when in Nathan's presence.

Charlotte shifted slightly to bring her arms around Nathan's neck, pulling her cheek alongside his.

"Thank you for saving me, Mountie Nathan," Charlotte's silky voice whispered in Nathan's ear, as her fingers threaded into the hair at the nape of his neck.

"I'll always be here for you," Nathan answered, gently nuzzling into the cocoon of Charlotte's silky hair.

"Oh!"

"Uh!"

"Sorry… I just ummm."

Nathan set Charlotte's feet gently on the ground as they both turned to face Grace, twirling nervously on the front porch. Not quite sure which way to go as to not interrupt Nathan and Charlotte's moment any further.

"Did you need something Grace?" Charlotte asked, a smile coming across her face at the other woman's awkward reaction.

"Oh. Gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just coming out to check on you and make sure everything was going alright. But it seems as though things are going better than alright. And... And... I'll just go back inside now." Grace rattled, hardly taking a breath in between sentences before opening the front door in a flutter and disappearing into the parlor.

Charlotte and Nathan turned to each other, slow smiles creeping across their faces until hearty laughter burst forth from within them.

"Here, let me help you put this away," Nathan said as he reached for the ladder. "We can't have it causing any more moments that would embarrass Grace further."

Charlotte giggled again. "That's probably best. If her cheeks were any redder, they would match Lillian's hair color!"

The party was a success! It appeared all of Brookfield had arrived at the orphanage to wish Fred and his mom and dad well. They were going to miss seeing him around the community but were happy that he was the answer to the Coulter's prayers for a family of their own.

Once the last guests had said their goodbyes, Lillian, Grace, Lee, and Rosemary set about getting all the children to bed. It had been a very eventful week, and everyone was exhausted. Charlotte had helped Eleanor finish cleaning up the kitchen, but as she was beginning to turn off the oil lamps and go to bed herself, Charlotte caught a familiar sight through the window of the parlor. Grabbing her shawl, she stepped out onto the front porch and pulled the door closed behind her, startling Nathan in the process. Charlotte could tell he had been deep in thought most of the night and now was no different, so she decided to keep their conversation as light as possible.

"I don't know how many times this week I've told Lillian and Grace how beautiful their home is."

Nathan gave Charlotte a small smile when she turned to look at him, leaning against the porch rail across from where he sat in one of the rocking chairs.

"It is beautiful," he answered.

For some reason, Charlotte wasn't completely sure if Nathan was talking about the house or something… someone else.

"I've always dreamed of living in a home like this. Two stories, tons of bedrooms, lots of space to entertain all our family and friends. And that kitchen. But you want to know what my favorite part is?"

Nathan's smile seemed to grow when Charlotte had used the words our family and friends.

"What is your favorite part?" He played along.

"This porch," she answered, running her fingertips along the banister beside her hip. "I've always thought I'd love a house with a wrap-around porch. With hanging baskets and window boxes full of flowers."

"And rocking chairs just like these," Charlotte continued as she pushed off against the railing and moved to sit in the unoccupied rocking chair beside Nathan.

Upon taking a seat, Charlotte paused for a moment, closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath. Nathan watched her intently but did not say a word.

Charlotte kept her eyes closed as her imagination brought forth vivid pictures. "I envision morning coffee sitting here, watching the sun rise over the tree line to the East. Or a glass of lemonade and plate of snickerdoodle cookies for an afternoon snack as the children play in the yard. Or sitting on the front steps, late at night, watching the stars and the moon and feeling like we are the only two people in the whole world."

"Can't you just see it?" Charlotte gently asked as she finally opened her eyes to look over at Nathan.

Thankfully Charlotte was sitting down, as Nathan flashed her one of those crooked smiles she loved. The kind that caused small lines to form at the outside of his crystal blue eyes.

"Yeah. I can see it," Nathan agreed.

"These children are so lucky to live here and have Lillian and Grace. They love them so much. From stories I've heard that doesn't always seem to be the case in orphanages."

Nathan sighed deeply and ran his fingers through his hair. Charlotte knew he did that whenever he was nervous or upset about something, so she gently reached over and took his hand into hers. Quieting his motions and soul. Charlotte did not say a word because she knew she didn't need to. This was what Nathan needed. To feel support.

And he would always have hers.

Nathan started to rub his thumb gently back and forth over Charlotte's for a few minutes before he broke their silence. "I've had a lot of time to think this week. Being here and around these children. It has made me realize a few things."

"And what is that?" Charlotte gently coaxed.

"It made me realize that if anything…" Nathan's voice broke. "If anything should happen to me…"

"Nathan. Don't talk like that. Nothing is going to happen to you."

"We don't know that. We don't know how long any of us have here. Think about your parents. Or my sister. Or even those children's parents. I'm sure they never expected anything to happen to them. I'm sure they had all those same hopes and dreams you just talked about for a happy future with their families."

A lump had formed in Charlotte's throat. Tears threatened to spring from her eyes, but she vowed that for once she was going to be Nathan's rock. She was going to be the strong one for them, so instead she just gently squeezed his hand in reassurance, prompting him to continue.

"Charlotte, I've been meaning to ask you this for quite some time…"

Charlotte could feel each beat of her heart as it pumped blood through every vein in her body.

"If something should happen to me. Would you become Allie's legal guardian? My parents of course could, but raising a teenager is too much for them at this point in their lives and I hate the idea of Allie having to leave Hope Valley. And… I have this fear that if I don't get a guardian put in place and something should happen to me… would Allie end up in one of those orphanages you were talking about? Or with people who don't love her like you, and I do. I just couldn't bear the thought of that. Two years ago, when I officially adopted Allie, I made her a promise. A promise that whatever happened I would always be there for her. I would never leave her. I realize now that wasn't a promise I should have made. Especially given my profession, but Charlotte, if I can't be the one who is always there for her, I need to know that you will be. She loves you like a mother, and you love her like a daughter. I can't imagine her in anyone else's care."

Charlotte was speechless. Nathan Grant had a way of doing this to her. First his proposal last year and now this.

She took a deep and shaky breath as she stared out across the meadow in front of them. Could she really be Allie's legal guardian? The girl's mother in every sense of the word?

"Are you sure?" Charlotte's voice was barely above a whisper. "I love Allie, but are you sure that your parents, her grandparents, wouldn't be better suited? I mean they are blood relatives. I'm just… I'm just her teacher."

"No Charlotte." Nathan shook his head. "You are her mother. Allie sees that. I see that. You see that. Everyone sees that. Some of the most beautiful families are the ones that are like a stained-glass window in church. Different, broken little pieces of colorful glass. Sure. They aren't too special on their own. But when they are brought together and shown the light of day, the light of love, that's when their beauty truly comes shining through."

Charlotte reached over and started gently caressing Nathan's forearm. Something she did so often to comfort them both. She was reminded then, of a Bible verse from Psalms she had always seemed drawn to.

A father to the fatherless,

a defender of widows,

is God in his holy dwelling.

That verse seemed to perfectly describe the man beside her. Nathan had come to Hope Valley in a sense of duty to Jack Thornton. His profession guided him to protect those in his community. When Collen passed, he had stepped in and raised Allie as his own. He became the father he didn't have to be when Allie became orphaned. More so, Nathan became the father figure he personally never had.

Pride for the man Charlotte cared so much for, filled her with a glowing warmth. Nathan became Allie's legal guardian because he loved her completely. Nothing else had seemed to matter. He had been a young, single man, rising through the ranks of the North West Mounted Police, but was willing to put his plans aside, to become an integral part of Allie's future.

Charlotte knew she could do the same.

She looked over to see Nathan already staring at her. His knuckles had turned white in her hand and his muscles were tense. Waiting for an answer with bated breath.

"It would break my heart if I ever had to be separated from Allie," Charlotte confessed. "So yes, Nathan. I'd be honored if you and Allie would allow me to be listed as a legal guardian."

Charlotte removed her hand from where it had been playing across Nathan's arm and leaned forward slightly to run her thumb over his furrowed brow, erasing the tension in his body. "And if by saying yes, it would lessen the worry you have been feeling lately. I'd say yes to you a thousand times more."