Chapter 85- Two Hearts

Sunday after church, Nathan, Allie, Charlotte, Maise, and Archie all loaded up in one of Lee's supply wagons and drove out to their newfound evergreen forest.

Allie hurriedly bounded out of the back of the wagon, before Nathan even had the team of horses stopped. Running around the evergreens, trying to pick out the perfect tree for each row house. Soon enough Allie had identified the chosen two. Charlotte and Archie worked together on a crosscut saw, to fell each of the trees and load them into the back of the wagon.

They had already placed and decorated the one in Nathan's row house, while Maise made them all a cup of hot chocolate to warm up. As soon as it was finished though, Allie, Charlotte, and Nathan went next door with the other tree, while Archie and Maise stayed behind to make their Sunday dinner.

With Nathan's injury, Charlotte refused to let him lift anything too heavy and had suggested that at least this year he and Allie switch "jobs". Where she would help Charlotte set up and move the tree, and Nathan could direct them.

"You realize it's leanin', right?"

"No, I didn't mean the direction right. Just right. As in correct."

"Oh, never mind."

Charlotte groaned as she and Allie worked at moving the Christmas tree to just the right, or correct, spot while Nathan directed them around the living room of her house.

"I hope you're having fun with all this," she grumbled.

"Actually, I can now see why Allie enjoys this job," he laughed.

"I can now see why you both dislike this job," Allie added. "Dad, can you hurry up? This tree is getting heavy."

"Yes. I think it looks great right there."

Charlotte and Allie straightened and took a step back away from the tree to take in their handiwork.

"These really are the perfect trees," Allie said admiring the pine in front of them. "I can't believe that evergreen forest was up by the meadow all this time and we never knew about it.

"Thank goodness for Newton finding it for us," Charlotte giggled.

"I still don't understand how you two let him wander away that far. You both are usually the first ones to make sure the horses are taken care of."

Nathan and Charlotte exchanged sheepish grins and a flush came to their cheeks. Neither one quite ready to explain that their kisses were the reason they had forgotten to tie up Newton while at the meadow.

Thankfully Allie didn't pressure them for answers. Instead, she let out an audible groan as she looked down at her hands. "Oh man, I got sap all over."

"Run next door and have your grandma help clean that up. She always had your mom and I put a little cooking oil on the sap to break it down and that helps it wash off easier," Nathan suggested.

Allie nodded and quickly bounded through the back door to the other house.

"You didn't get in the sap, Ms. Thompson?" Nathan questioned as he sauntered over to Charlotte's side, taking her hands into his to inspect them closely.

"Doesn't appear so," she answered. "Can't say the tree was as nice to my hair though. I kept getting caught in the branches when you were having us move the tree this way and that."

Nathan chuckled. "I'm sorry about that. Figured after last year, Allie needed a taste of her own medicine."

"At my expense too?" Charlotte gave Nathan a jovial scowl.

"How about I make it up to you?"

"How do you plan on doing that, Mr. Grant?" Charlotte challenged, sliding in closer to Nathan, already anticipating his next move.

"Oh, I think you know," Nathan's smoky voice floated between them as he threaded his fingers into Charlotte's hair and leaned close, his lips hoovering ever so slightly above hers.

"Ouch!" They both cried out at the same time, jumping apart.

"I think your hair just bit me!" Nathan exclaimed.

"I told you that tree wasn't being nice to my hair," Charlotte stated, reaching up to pull a pine needle from her waves. "Next year, remind me to braid it before Allie gets her revenge and has us scooting that tree all over the house like you did tonight."

"Here let me help," Nathan came forward and started to sort through Charlotte's silky locks picking at the stray needles that had become embedded in her hair. "Jeeze, how many are in here? You're like a porcupine, Charlie."

Charlotte laughed. "Who knew Allie picked the one tree in the entire forest that wanted to fight back. First, the sap. And now all these needles in my hair."

"There. I think I have them all out," Nathan said, as he pulled the last needle from her chocolate brown waves. "Now, where were we?"

"Hmmmm…" Charlotte hummed as she languidly looped her arms around Nathan's neck. "I think it was right about… here."

She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, her arms tightening around his neck to draw him closer. Nathan groaned and biceps bunched as he drew her firmly to his chest.

"That's my goodbye kiss I want you to remember while you are away, Constable Grant," Charlotte's voice was husky as they pulled apart slightly to catch their breath. Their foreheads resting against one another. "Because I really don't think it would be very proper for us to display… that… tomorrow in front of everyone else."

"If you keep kissing me like that, I may never leave."

"In that case," Charlotte pulled Nathan back to her and again kissed him with everything she had. Pouring her love into him. Freely. Without reservation. Her mind floated to memories of the last time Nathan left town and she had frozen. So incapable of letting him know how she felt. Charlotte couldn't let that be the case this time. Or any other time in the future. Nathan would leave town knowing he was cherished, adored, and dare she say it… she wanted him to feel desired. Just as she did.

Only the sound of the knob creaking open on the back door caused the pair to pull apart quickly, Nathan reaching over to smooth her disheveled hair as Charlotte fussed with the lapels of his unbuttoned shirt her fingers had curled into moments earlier.

"Grandma and Grandpa decided to bring dinner here tonight" Allie stated, holding the door open for Maise and Archie who had followed her over; arms ladened with delicious smelling food. "That way we can all work at decorating this tree together."

Both Maise and Archie raised their eyebrows and flashed all-knowing smiles in Charlotte and Nathan's direction. Thankfully it appeared as though Allie was blissfully unaware of the passion she had just disrupted in Charlotte's living room.

After dinner, three generations of the Grant family worked diligently at decorating Charlotte's tree. Maise and Allie had spent most of the day before while Charlotte and Nathan had been on their date, making the ornaments for the trees. Popcorn and cranberry strings, dried sliced oranges, and cinnamon cut-out stars hung from various branches.

"Can't forget the most important part," Charlotte said a moment before she dashed up the stairs. After some shuffle and scuffle noises from the second floor, Charlotte soon returned with a white package. She lifted the lid to the box revealing the Christmas angel Nathan had made for her the year prior.

"Oh, my goodness, Charlotte. She is stunning," Maise declared as Charlotte lifted the tree topper from the delicate paper, she was wrapped in.

"Son. Did you make this?" Archie asked, coming over to inspect the present closer.

"He did!" Charlotte answered. "Isn't she beautiful?"

"That she is. Amazing work," Archie beamed his pride at his son.

"I can't take all the credit for her," Nathan said, walking over to join them at the table, placing a strong hand on the small of Charlotte's back.

"I had a muse that helped inspire her," Nathan added, leaning to his side to place a gentle kiss on Charlotte's forehead.

"Will you do the honor again this year?" Charlotte asked, handing the carved angel to Nathan.

"I'd love to," Nathan replied before moving to place the topper in its rightful place, presiding over the festivities of Charlotte's house.

When he turned, there was his family, circled around the Christmas tree. His parents, alongside each other. Charlotte's arms protectively wrapped around Allie as the girl stood in front of her. Their cheeks side by side, allowed Nathan to compare their differences in features, but more so, see their similarities. The way their eyes sparkled. Their sweet little noses to their elegant necks. He would never stop missing his sister, but Nathan found himself filled with joy at the thought of Allie again having a mother in her life. A woman he knew would always love the girl as if she were her own.

"Wait here," Nathan stated, pointing his finger at them while he grabbed his coat and rushed out the back door. As quickly as he left, he had returned.

"What was that all about?" Charlotte questioned as Nathan came to stand beside her.

"This," he answered, producing a small brown box tied in twine from behind his back. "I know we said that we were not going to exchange Christmas gifts between us as the wedding is present enough, but I wanted to make you something as a remembrance of this past year for us."

Charlotte shook her head slightly in disbelief as she took the package into her hands. Pulling the string, she removed the top of the box to reveal an ornament. Not just any ornament though. One that had been so carefully designed and carved by Nathan. It was two delicate hearts that were interlocked, one looped inside the other. The ornament wasn't painted in opulent colors, but rather simply stained to bring out the natural grain of the beautiful walnut wood it had been hewned from. A thin leather string threaded through a tiny hole at the top, allowing the ornament to be hung on the tree.

"Nathan," Charlotte breathed as she brushed her fingers over the intricate design and tears welled in her eyes. "This… it's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it."

"You are so incredibly talented. I could never imagine making something this wonderful. Thank you."

"Are you going to hang it on the tree?" Allie asked. A hint of impatience in her voice breaking Charlotte out of her daze.

"Oh, yes. Of course," Charlotte picked up the ornament and made her way to the tree. She analyzed the pine in front of her for a moment before choosing a branch towards the top of the tree where she would be able to see the ornament from wherever she was on the first floor of the row house. Standing on her tiptoes, she extended the loop of the ornament to the chosen bough, but no matter how hard she tried the branch was just out of her reach.

"Let me help."

Charlotte felt the warmth of Nathan's body as he wrapped around her. His right hand taking hers guiding it to the branch as his left hand held her hip, steadying them in the reach until the leather string found its resting place on the pine needles.

"There," he remarked before leisurely sliding his hand down Charlotte's forearm, in the process turning her slowly in his embrace so they faced one another. Time stood still. Electricity arced between them. The same force that hit whenever they held each other close. Nathan's eyes dropped to Charlotte's lips for a moment, before darting back to catch her gaze. A mix of his shyness and slight hesitation so clearly visible to her. Charlotte smiled and nodded her head, urging Nathan to act on what they both so clearly wanted.

A look of softness came over Nathan's face as he rubbed gently along Charlotte's jaw, tilting her chin so he could capture her lips with his. This kiss was tender and sweet. Lacking the heat that had been a part of their earlier kisses this evening, but that fact didn't make this particular kiss any less enjoyable. Even with its difference in intensity, Charlotte still found her heart beating wildly against her chest.

It wasn't until someone else in the room cleared their throat did Charlotte and Nathan part, turning to see not only Maise and Archie raising their brow this time, but also Allie. Soon enough though sweet smiles and laughter drifted through the room. The Grant family simply overcome with joy, happiness, and love.

"Nathan," Charlotte said, tapping her palm gently against his chest. "Since you gave me, my Christmas present tonight. I only think it's right that I give you yours as well."

"I thought we said we weren't exchanging presents this year."

"You didn't listen. So, did you really expect me to?"

"I guess you are right," Nathan chuckled, his breath dancing across her cheek in gentle waves.

Charlotte shifted out of Nathan's hold, causing him to feel bereft of her touch. She again took to the stairs, deftly covering each step, returning quickly to the group, a large box in hand.

Nathan squinted first at the package then to Charlotte.

"Merry Christmas, Nathan," Charlotte's voice was cheerful as she extended the gift towards him. He took it from her, its contents heavier than he had expected.

"Open it," she coaxed.

Nathan looked up to see Charlotte lightly wringing her hands together, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet. The anticipation was almost too much for her to handle.

As Nathan removed the top of the box to reveal the gift inside, a beautiful smile spread across his face.

"Oh, Charlotte," he muttered softly.

"Do you like it? It's not too much, is it?" Charlotte's questions fell quickly out of her mouth like a runaway train. Her sentences streamed together in one continuous flow, not even pausing to catch a breath. "Mr. Yost said I can return it if you didn't want to keep it. I had no clue what was the best kind or type or anything like that, but I talked with Carson, and he said this is the one he uses and he told me to get this button thing here as it's worth the extra few dollars. Oh Nathan, I hope you're not upset that I bought this. You know I've been saving my extra income this year from teaching, and well… I just thought this would be the perfect gift for you… really for all of us. To help capture the special moments from this Christmas and all the Christmases to come. Please just say something. Anything really…"

Nathan looked over to Charlotte, his expression for once, quite unreadable to her. "Are you sure you want me to say something? Because for a moment there… I wasn't sure if you were ever going to stop rambling on."

He winked and Charlotte laughed gently, calming her unease in the process.

"While yes, it was more than I ever expected to receive this year, I do love it. Like you said, it will be perfect for our family to capture all of our special memories to come."

"Oh, I'm so happy you said that," Charlotte collided into Nathan as she threw her arms about his neck, pulling him to her in a hug.

Nathan rubbed her back gently in his embrace. "Thank you for my gift, love."

"You are very welcome," she answered, pulling back ever so slightly from their hug. "Now, since the tree is decorated and we are all here together, what do you say we put this gift to the test?"

"Wonderful idea," Nathan agreed, leaning forward to place a tender kiss on Charlotte's cheek.

They worked together, with only a few bickering moments about how they should read the instructions first (Nathan) or just "wing it" (Charlotte), in order to get the camera set up and ready for their first picture all together.

Nathan directed everyone to their places around the Christmas tree, making sure the whole family was in frame. Carrying the button, Carson had suggested Charlotte purchase, Nathan readied the picture and then moved to his spot beside Charlotte.

"Say 'Merry Christmas', everyone," Nathan instructed a moment before he pressed the button on the camera.

"Merry Christmas!" They all called out in unison.

"Are you sure we have everything?" Charlotte asked as she continued to help fold and pack the clothes and supplies she and Nathan had collected while sharing their morning cup of coffee. "This doesn't seem like much."

"Says the woman who packed up her whole life in a trunk and two travel bags," Nathan stated, wrapping an arm around Charlotte's back, pulling her to his side.

"I'll be fine, I promise," Nathan leaned in to place a reassuring kiss on Charlotte's temple before returning to his task of folding a shirt she had handed him from his bed. "We are only going to be gone for a week or so. And since I'm traveling along in an unofficial capacity, no red serge is needed."

"Or those uncomfortable boots," Charlotte winked.

"You are right about that."

"I'm sorry, I keep fussing over you. It's just…"

"Hey," Nathan put down the shirt and then placing his hands on Charlotte's hips he turned her to face him.

"I kind of like all this fussing," Nathan's fingers smoothed back a piece of Charlotte's hair. "It feels good to have someone want to make sure I'm taken care of. I've never really had that before. And I don't know… it feels… nice."

Charlotte gave him a bleak smile. It broke her heart that Nathan had never felt taken care of in the past. That he had never been able to experience someone fretting over him. Making sure he was fed, warm, and most importantly, loved. Especially when he was leaving on assignments.

"Good," Charlotte wrapped her arms around Nathan's torso. "That's how it is supposed to feel. When it's right."

"It?"

"This. Us. What we have. When it's right, you just feel it. I don't know how else to describe the way I love you, Nathan. I will spend the rest of my days fussing, just so you know how special and important you are to me."

Nathan held her close, smiling into her face. She curled into him. In that moment, they both felt incredibly cherished and treasured. The feeling of finally mattering to someone. And not just anyone. The one.

He touched his lips to hers. Time spinning away from them. It ceased to exist. Such exquisite tenderness.

The sound of Lee's car pulling up outside, drew them from the blissful moment.

"It's time," Nathan whispered, his lips hovering above hers.

Charlotte squeezed her arms tighter around Nathan, her cheek brushing against his as she nodded in understanding. "I'm going to miss you."

"And I you," he softly responded, pulling back from her embrace enough to wipe the tears from Charlotte's cheeks.

"Nathan!" Bill's voice called from outside. "Come on! We are going to miss our train unless you hurry up."

Nathan groaned. "I better go."

"Please let me know when you get there," Charlotte requested. "So I know you're safe."

"I promise," Nathan drew Charlotte's hand to his lips to press a light kiss across the back of her knuckles and over the ring on her finger.

Hand in hand they walked together down the stairs and outside where Allie, Maise, Archie, Bill, and Lee all waited. Nathan set about giving his goodbyes to his parents and Allie, while Lee and Bill loaded his bag into the car.

"Take care of yourself," Charlotte cooed as Nathan returned to her. She pulled the lapels of his jacket close to ward off the winter cold that wrapped around them.

"You do the same," Nathan moved to tuck a strand of Charlotte's hair behind her ear, causing Charlotte to close her eyes and lean into Nathan's hand where he cupped the side of her face.

"You should know. You make it mighty hard to leave, Ms. Thompson," he added.

"Good," she grinned. "I like giving you a reason to hurry home."

Nathan tucked Charlotte into his arms and kissed her once more. A kiss of encouragement, strength, and hope for one another.

"I love you," Charlotte said with a strong conviction. "Be safe."

A smile grew across Nathan's face, no doubt remembering the last time they said goodbye like this not so long ago and Charlotte had been crippled with the emotions that coursed through her. She was different now. Strong and capable. Which gave Nathan a sense of relief that what he was doing was the right thing for them and their future.

"I love you. I'll be back as soon as I can."

They shared one final kiss before Nathan folded himself into the back seat of Lee's car and the motor sputtered to life and took off down the dusty trail. Charlotte and the family waved their goodbyes until the vehicle was no longer visible in the distance. The heat of Nathan's touch and the pressure of his lips remained burned onto Charlotte's skin long after the car had left. She hoped the feeling would stay as long as Nathan was away. Only to be taken over by new hugs and kisses he would bestow upon his return to her.

And he would return to her, safe and sound. She had faith.