Chapter 111- A Mountie's Ball
*Wow… feels like I haven't done an Author Note in a long time! I'm sure you've all missed my ramblings (insert heavy dose of sarcasm here).
A couple things to get us all on the same page…
#1- This is our last Calgary chapter. We return to our regular Hope Valley programming after this commercial break. It was a little different for me to write this simple couple living a bit of the "extravagant life", but I thought it would be fun to explore.
#2- I try to keep the details of this story as historically accurate as possible. That being said. The final song I reference at the end of this chapter, "Ashokan Farewell", is a song I have loved for a couple of years since discovering it. While the music is beautiful in my opinion, and sounds very appropriate for this time period, it was actually written much more recently and a part of a PBS production with Ken Burns on the Civil War. It wasn't until I was researching that fact, praying it would have been composed prior to 1920… Haha, that I found it also had written lyrics (all the versions I had heard over the years were just the music and no vocals). When I found the lyrics and how beautiful they were, and seemingly appropriate for this couple's last song of the evening, I had to toss the historical accuracy out the window and include it in this chapter. I mean… when was the last time WCTH has 100% been in the 1920's society mindset? There are plenty of lovely versions of this song on YouTube if you want to listen… one of the only videos I found that included vocals was "Ashokan Farewell – A Cappella + Violin ft Melissa Priller – Chris Rupp"
#3- Have you heard that there is a Sunday Night Serge "Book" Club that has been happening. Where a group of like-minded individuals who love Nathan Grant FanFic have been meeting over Zoom on Sunday evening (I was able to join last night, and it was so much fun). The ladies that are heading up this adventure have asked me to be a part of their discussion on April 10th so we can talk about 'So This Is Love' and what drove me to write it and what my plans are for its future.
I would LOVE if you would join us that night. I want to be able to put some faces to pennames of all you lovely people who take time to read this story and leave such generous reviews. Has something I wrote in this story drove you crazy asking yourself… why in the world did she do that? April 10th would be a great time to come right to the source and understand my thought process in creating these characters and the story structure. I'm an open book (as I think Melissa and Elizabeth- who are heading up this adventure realized yesterday when I sent them answers to their icebreaker questions in prep of our Zoom).
If you would like more details of the meeting, feel free to reach out to me through PM and I will be happy to point you in the right direction. I'll share another little reminder as we get closer, just wanted to put a place holder on that date so we could jump on and chat about Nathan, Allie, Charlotte, and all the others we love in Hope Valley.
#4- Also it's been some time since our married couple needed a steam alert. So, you get a small one in this chapter's last scene. Nothing too crazy, but I wanted to bring a couple flame emojis to this party. I mean our main couple is lookin' pretty fine :)
"Quite the evening for him."
Charlotte startled at the voice that came from behind her. She turned to see Superintendent Hargraves. She had been standing to the side of the stage waiting for the official photos of the ceremony and award recipients to be completed by the newspaper reporter as the ballroom was being transformed for the dancing portion of the evening and the band was getting ready to play.
"Yes, it has been," Charlotte found her voice. "Long past due in my opinion."
Hargraves nodded his head slightly.
"I hope that means there is no more bad blood between you two and you are done with holding a grudge against my husband," Charlotte scowled slightly. Her candor caused Andrew's eyes to lock on hers. "Nathan is an outstanding Mountie; a fact I believe you have always known. What I think you and so many others have chosen not to see is what makes him so good at his job, his character. The man beneath the uniform."
"What has held Grant back in the past has been his blatant disrespect of orders and his willingness to act irrationally. From what I have heard, you understand those facts, as well as anyone."
Charlotte scoffed. "What has excelled my husband, Superintendent, is his willingness to put aside the bureaucracy of his job for the greater good of all involved. He doesn't do it in spite. He respects the chain of command, but he also understands that sometimes, difficult decisions have to be made in the thick of a situation."
"His rash decision making has cost two Mounties their lives, Mrs. Grant."
Charlotte turned fully to face Hargraves, she could feel her anger rising. "You cannot, and will not, blame Jack Thornton and Constable Novak's deaths on Nathan. I won't hear of it. He has been cleared of all that nonsense! Not that it was his fault to begin with. They were both accidents. Tragic and unfortunate accidents that had nothing to do with my husband."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Grant, but I wouldn't call it nothing. Especially the case with Novak."
"You, yourself, cleared him of any charges surrounding that case and you just gave him his promotion to sergeant tonight."
"Forgive me, you are correct." Andrew paused as if trying to choose his next words carefully. "I always wonder what could have saved those men's lives and it seems I come back to the same conclusion. Sergeant Grant making better choices. When a Mountie dies, it warrants a review per regulations. I was just doing my job, investigating further. One loss of life, I would say is an accident. A second time requires us to look deeper. Heaven forbid a third time should occur because of your husband's willingness to not follow orders and go outside the normal protocol."
Charlotte's muscles tensed and her fists clenched at her sides as she worked to control her emotions.
"Mark my words, Mrs. Grant. If it should happen again. Your husband will be reprimanded, and I will have his badge. He may be a good man, but I will end his career with the Mounties with just a stroke of the pen. It will not even go through another inquiry or investigation. I'm a stickler for details."
"I have one question, sir." Charlotte tried to hold back her disdain. "Are your actions to serve the better good of others? Or yourself?"
Hargraves head snapped back as if Charlotte had landed a slap across his cheek.
"That's what I thought." Charlotte turned on the heel of her boot and stormed towards the balcony door, leaving a stunned Hargraves in her wake.
It was too cold for anyone to be outside, but Charlotte needed the crisp air to fill her lungs. As much as she had enjoyed their time in Calgary, the thought of being home by this time tomorrow lifted her spirits immensely. She couldn't believe Hargraves and what he said about Nathan. It had appeared, when Nathan received his promotion, the Superintendent had genuinely seemed happy for Nathan. Was that all a façade? What were his true intentions with Nathan? Who in their right mind, would even begin to think that Nathan had anything to do with Thornton and Novak's death? No wonder Nathan still battled with guilt over the accidents, Hargraves seemed to be continuously throwing their deaths in Nathan's face.
Until her conversation with the superintendent, Charlotte had honestly believed that Nathan was finally getting some much-deserved recognition with the Mounties, but now, she wasn't as certain. She couldn't help but think if tonight was all some sort of ruse or set up. She remembered the saying 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'.
"I thought I saw you come out here."
Charlotte peeked over her shoulder to see Nathan closing the door to the ballroom behind him. He shivered slightly as the late winter chill hit. "It's freezing. You should come back inside before you catch a cold."
She mustered a small smile and then turned back to looking north over the city. "I just needed to get a little air. It was getting stifling in there with all those people."
Charlotte heard the even clip of Nathan's boot heels across the balcony floor as he came up behind her and slid his arms past her waist to lean into the banister in front of them. His lips easily finding the sensitive skin below her ear, before trailing his kisses lower down her neck and over the freckled skin of her collarbone. Charlotte's breath caught and she felt a warmth run down into her belly.
"Nathan." His name floated past her lips, heavy with desire. With its sound, she felt his mouth curl into a smile as he placed one more adoring kiss to her exposed shoulder.
"It's been a good few days, hasn't it?" Nathan asked, resting his cheek against hers as they now both looked out into the distance. "But I miss Hope Valley and the peace and quiet of home. The night sky just isn't the same here."
Charlotte leaned back against the solid comfort of Nathan's broad chest. Letting her body relax completely into his. "I was just thinking the same thing."
She felt the muscles in his face change, and she knew without looking he was smiling at their synchronicities.
"The band is about ready to get started. I have it on good authority, that the first song they are going to play is one I think you will enjoy," Nathan whispered.
"Is that so?" Charlotte turned in his arms to face him. "And just how did you accomplish that, Sarge? I hope not any sort of bribery." Her eyes twinkled with humor and teasing.
"Nah," Nathan pulled her closer to his chest, running his hands along Charlotte's arms in an effort to keep her body warm against the winter night. "Not bribery. But this…" He mockingly brushed his thumb along the new medal adorning his chest. "It appears to come with some perks."
Charlotte grinned, the action drawing Nathan's attention to the dimple in her right cheek. He bent forward and kissed it, causing Charlotte's fingers to dig into the material of his uniform, steadying her swaying body to his. When he pulled back, Nathan smiled his slow, deliberate smile.
A pull of a bow across violin strings drew the pair's attention back to the ballroom.
"I do believe they are playing our song, Sergeant Grant." Charlotte commented, recognizing the accompanying opening notes on the piano to their 'Waltzing Matilda' arrangement.
"I do believe you are right, Mrs. Grant." He grinned in return. "Will you do me the honor of this dance, milady?" Nathan asked, backing away slightly to mockingly dip forward into a bow like a courting gent in one of her romance novels.
His action caused Charlotte to laugh- a soft, merry, tremendously happy laugh. "I thought you'd never ask, kind sir." She played along, looping her arm through his, allowing her husband to escort them back to the party as though they were the King and Queen of the Mountie Ball.
Charlotte couldn't help but smile as she stood to the side of the ballroom. Her doubts and concerns about Hargraves, seemed like a lifetime ago. She and Nathan had shared the first dance of the night and many others. Some lively and quick. Some; slow and sensual. They had also spent time with other partners. Charlotte with Archie, Bill, Lee, Fred, Gabe, Mr. Lane, and some of the other Mounties she had met over the past few days. Nathan danced with Allie and his mother. Lillian, Grace, Rosemary, Nancy Collins, and Elizabeth Lane. After his first dance with Mary Macleod, Nathan had hardly had a break from the older women requesting that he continue to be her partner for the rest of the evening. Her husband's plight made Charlotte chuckle.
As predicted, Fred hadn't been able to last long into the night, but neither had Rosemary's swollen ankles. So, Lee had escorted his family to their room hours ago. Maise was also tired and decided to call it an early night. Archie, being a gentleman, walked her and Allie to their room for the evening. More recently they had also said goodnight and goodbye to Grace, Lillian, and Gabe. Their train to Brookfield in the morning departed early from the station and they knew it would be in their best interest to retire before the ball was officially over.
While Charlotte took a break from dancing and sipped on her punch, she caught Bill and Nathan together just on the other side of the dance floor. They seemed to be discussing Nathan's promotion tonight and the award. It warmed her heart, the look of pride that Bill Avery had on his face all evening for Nathan. Not that the rest of them didn't delight in Nathan's successes, but it was something different for Bill. Bill had given his life to the Mounties and upholding the law. Seeing one of his proteges being recognized for their hard work, especially one that was like a son to Bill, was a particularly special experience for the judge.
As the song, the band played, changed from a lively number to a slower waltz, Charlotte felt someone come up beside her. She glanced over to see Assistant Commissioner Duncan Aitchison.
"Mrs. Grant," he nodded as he linked his arms together behind his back.
"Commissioner," she returned in recognition. Charlotte was shocked to see Duncan still here. Since Nathan's speech, she had only noticed him from across the room a couple of times throughout the evening.
Aitchison's attention moved from Charlotte to the couples dancing across the wooden floor. He was silent for a moment before tipping his head in their direction. "Would you like to dance, Charlotte?"
A tingle ran down her spin at his use of her Christian name. While yes, they had shared a meal together, and all the other couples at the table had called her Charlotte, this was the first time Aitchison had used her given name instead of Mrs. Grant. For some reason it unsettled her. Her eyes shifted from the officer, to Nathan, who was still deep in conversation with Bill and now a few other Mounties.
Aitchison was ultimately one of Nathan's commanding officers, and Charlotte didn't want her refusing a dance with him to reflect poorly on her husband.
"My feet are rather tired from an already full night of dancing," she commented, trying to skirt around the awkwardness.
"Don't worry," Aitchison reached out to take Charlotte's hand, pulling her forward. "I won't step on your toes, if you don't step on mine."
Charlotte felt herself withdraw slightly, yielding their advances towards the dance floor. When Duncan turned back towards Charlotte to see why she had stopped, the look in his eyes, one Charlotte knew all too well, made her continue forward. When they joined the other dancers, Aitchison raised their hands into position as his right hand went to Charlotte's lower back. A wave of trepidation hit her square in the chest, making it hard to breathe.
On the next downbeat, he began leading them in the waltz. "Charlotte, tell me more about yourself. From our dinner tonight, I know you grew up on a ranch and that you are now a schoolteacher in Hope Valley. What did you do in between?"
"Not much."
Duncan's arrogant grin at her shortness, made Charlotte's stomach queasy. "It was quite the speech your husband gave this evening. I especially enjoyed him using some of my material from our dinner conversation."
"Yes. His speech was very touching. I'm very proud of him." Charlotte felt Aitchison's muscles tighten, guiding her closer to him. Her body stiffened against his advances, and she worked to maintain a respectable distance between them.
"He seems to have numerous supporters here. Not just your friends and family in attendance, but many of the other Mounties and officers in this room."
"Sergeant Grant is an honorable man. He deserves the admiration that is bestowed upon him."
"Others appear to agree."
"You don't?" Charlotte asked, picking up on Aitchison's peculiar choice of words.
"I don't know him well enough," answered the officer. "Of course, I read the various high-profile reports from around the country that come across my desk, and I have seen your husband's name attached to them from time to time. But I'll admit, I've seen his name far more often on the reprimand list than on the honor."
Duncan's comment caused Charlotte to lose her concentration on the dance, the result was her misplacing a foot and becoming tangled with Aitchison's. Her body lurched to the side, the only thing keeping her from hitting the floor was the officer's steady grip on her waist.
"Easy there. Remember what I said. I won't step on your toes if you don't step on mine." Aitchison stated, righting them back into position and carrying on with the dance as if nothing had happened. "I've never been to Hope Valley. Maybe I should visit. From what I've heard, it is quite a lovely and progressive town."
"It's the people that make it special."
"It always is, darling. It always is."
Charlotte bristled at Aitchison's term of endearment, and she almost ended the dance right then, but Duncan, as if sensing her anxious energy, twirled, and dipped her with unexpected ease.
"Excuse me sir, but would you mind if I cut in?"
Charlotte heard the voice come from behind Aitchison, and she was quickly brought back upright from the dip. When she straightened, she saw Warren Tremblay had come to her rescue.
When Aitchison didn't answer, Warren continued. "I am sorry to interrupt, sir, but I did hear from the band that this song is the second to last of the evening. Since I believe Sergeant Grant would like the final dance with his wife and seeing I have yet to have her as a partner tonight, I was wondering if you would allow me the honor of the rest of this dance with Mrs. Grant."
Charlotte felt Aitchison's fingers dig into her sides where his hand still rested along her ribs. It was clear through his body language; he did not feel as though his time with Charlotte was through. But with Warren's height, muscular build, and dark features, he was an imposing force.
"Of course, Constable Tremblay," Duncan pushed against Charlotte's back, knocking her slightly off balance. Thankfully Warren discreetly caught her into his side. "Just make sure she doesn't step on your toes, boy."
"I'm not concerned, Commissioner," Warren's voice was steady and firm. Unwavering. But his fingers subconsciously curling into Charlotte's elbow told her about his true feelings towards the officer.
Another conceited smile spread across Aitchison's face before he directed his attention back to Charlotte and dipped his head. "Miss Charlotte. It was a pleasure. Have a safe trip back to Hope Valley."
Their eyes followed Aitchison as he quickly made his way out of the ballroom, ignoring all others in the room before disappearing into the hotel lobby. Once he was out of sight, Warren turned towards Charlotte, slightly stooping to look into her eyes. "Are you okay, Charlotte?"
"Yes. Yes. I'm fine." Her hand gripping Warren's forearm said otherwise and his gaze at where she held onto him made Charlotte realize she was fooling no one.
"Nathan was detained over there with some officers, but he got my attention and I understood he wanted me to check on you."
Charlotte's eyes darted to where her husband stood at the edge of the dance floor surrounded by Bill, Collins, O'Reilly, and a few other officers. They were all talking to him, but Nathan was only looking at her. She saw his jaw clench as he waited for her to let him know she was in fact alright. Charlotte gave him a slight smile and nodded her head at him. She saw him let out a slow breath before turning his attention to where Tremblay stood beside Charlotte. He nodded at the younger Mountie, giving him his thanks for stepping in when Nathan himself couldn't. Warren nodded in understanding.
"Warren," Charlotte whispered, still trying to conceal her emotions. "Would you like to dance?"
"Don't feel like you have to," Tremblay stated. "Wanting to dance just seemed like the easiest way to get Aitchison out of your hair."
"I want to," she gently smiled at his thoughtfulness. "I've learned there is no better way to get rid of a bad feeling than replacing it with a good one."
"If, you're sure." Warren stared at her trying to read Charlotte's expression.
"I'm sure." Charlotte reached forward and brought their hands into position and Warren began leading them through the rest of the waltz. She quickly picked up that he was rather comfortable with dancing.
"My three older sisters," He answered, as if reading her mind. "They made me learn how to waltz, so they always had a dance partner at various functions growing up. They all would rather be a part of the fun on the dance floor than standing on the sidelines. Even if they were paired with a pesky younger brother who would much rather be playing a game outside with his friends."
"You should thank them," Charlotte smiled. "I think your skills on the dance floor are much more likely to win you the heart of a young woman than a ball game would."
"I don't know about that. I heard you are rather good at sports. Can't I have a woman who appreciates both?" Warren grinned in return. "But no matter, I will be sure in my next letters to them, they know their lessons were beneficial tonight."
As the music to the song finished, Warren stepped away and gave Charlotte a rather formal bow. No doubt recalling back to what his sisters had taught him to do in his youth. "Thank you for the dance, Mrs. Grant."
"Thank you, Warren." Charlotte squeezed his hand. "For not only the dance… but earlier as well."
"Yes, thank you Tremblay."
Warren and Charlotte both spun around to see Nathan standing beside them.
"You're welcome, sir." Warren reached out and shook Nathan's hand that he had extended. "I'll take any assignment you give me, Sarge, that would include a dance with a beautiful woman." Warren gave a sheepish grin.
"Easy there, Tremblay," Nathan chuckled. "But honestly, thank you for stepping in when I couldn't."
"Anytime." Warren glanced to the stage and saw that the band was preparing for the final song of the night. "Well, I should let the newlyweds enjoy the last dance of the evening. See you both at the train station in the morning."
"Good night, Warren." Charlotte and Nathan answered in unison as Tremblay turned on his heel and then exited the room.
"I'm so sorry about earlier," Nathan stated, placing his hands on Charlotte's hips, turning her to face him. "I would have come over here myself, but thankfully Warren seemed to notice and was able to get here quicker." He reached forward and tucked a strand of hair behind Charlotte's ear. "Are you alright?"
"How did you know I wasn't alright?" She asked calmly. She had barely known herself.
"Because I know you, and I've seen all those same reactions before, firsthand," Nathan gave a solemn look. "Did Aitchison say or do something?"
Charlotte swallowed, thinking back over her few moments alone with Duncan. "Not really."
Nathan's eyebrows furrowed.
"I mean, no, he didn't really say or do anything… it was just… a feeling I had..." Charlotte trailed off, a shiver running down her spine. "And the look in his eyes at one point…"
"How did he look at you?" Nathan growled. "Did he…"
"No." She cut him off. "It wasn't like that, but it was more so the look Beck would sometimes give. One of power. Of arrogance. Of a man who thinks he's untouchable. I'm sure given his position within the Mounties, Aitchison doesn't come across many people who challenge his authority."
"I don't care who he is. If he made you feel that way…" Nathan's gaze shot around the room as if trying to find the commissioner to give him a piece of his mind. Or his fist. Charlotte noted the way every muscle in Nathan's body clenched in anger. "I'm going to go find him and let him know I won't stand for his actions against you, or anyone else."
As Nathan started to move away from her, Charlotte reached out and grabbed his arm stopping him from leaving in a rage. "No, Nathan." She pleaded, pulling his focus back to her. "Not tonight. This evening is about you and celebrating the amazing man you are. I don't want to give Aitchison another moment of our time together. I want to dance with my husband and forget that slime even exists. At least for tonight. I wanted to have a nice evening. More importantly, I wanted you to have a nice time. I didn't want to burden you with this." She shifted herself back into Nathan's arms, lifting her gaze into his. "I want to focus on you. Only you."
She saw Nathan's struggle between his desire to protect Charlotte's honor and put the commissioner in his place, and his desire to do exactly as his wife requested and not give the officer another second of their time. At least for this evening. He took a deep breath and digested Charlotte's sentiments. In the end, the idea of being lost in the moment with his wife won out and he held out his open palm. "Mrs. Grant?"
Charlotte took it and Nathan turned her body into his with remarkable confidence, as he caught hold and whirled her around before lifting one of her hands aloft whilst wrapping his other around the curve of her hip to the base of her spine. He nudged her closer as the band director announced the final song and the violin began its opening notes. Nathan led them through the first steps.
"I've never heard this song before." Charlotte commented. "It's beautiful."
"You're beautiful." Nathan gazed longingly into her eyes.
Charlotte's cheeks burned, and she couldn't still her racing heart no matter how hard she tried. Not with the way Nathan was looking at her. To calm her senses, she glanced to the side. There were only a few couples remaining at the ball, but she noticed Bill had been snared into dancing with Mrs. Macleod. To Charlotte, they made quite the pair.
When the vocalist began singing the lyrics to the song, her focus returned to Nathan. Captivated by the beauty and meaning behind the words and the music.
The sun is sinking low in the sky above Ashokan
The pines and the willows know soon we will part
Nathan carried her into measured currents, up and around and side to side, as light as a feather. His steps glided them smoothly where he intended. Charlotte relaxed into him and focused on the music and the way the melody enveloped them in a sweet embrace, carrying them away from unsettled thoughts and fear. They had each other. Nothing else seemed to matter.
There's a whisper in the wind of promises unspoken
And a love that will always remain in my heart.
"It is a rather special song, isn't it?" Nathan commented, his lips brushing along the wisps of curls outlining her face.
"Mmmhmm," Charlotte hummed. Her dance partner left her too entranced to respond with words. Rocking gently, she repositioned her left hand more snugly to his shoulder and laid her head on him. The fabric of his serge a soft pillow for her cheek as she sank deeper into his hold.
My thoughts will return to the sound of your laughter
The magic of moving as one.
And a time we'll remember long ever after
The moonlight and music and dancing are done.
"Have I told you before how much I enjoy dancing with you?" Nathan's whispered breath was warm on her skin.
"Yes," she said breathlessly. "You're very good at it. Dancing, that is."
"I'm good at a lot of things." He confidently chuckled in a husky and low manner. Taking her thoughts to other shared activities. His arms tightened around her, speeding up Charlotte's pulse even more. She could feel heat pouring into her face and she didn't dare look up at him.
Just being in his arms was heady stuff, let alone the pull his sapphire blue eyes had on her.
Will we climb the hills once more?
Will we walk the woods together?
Will I feel you holding me close once again?
Nathan continued to guide her with awareness and agility. There were no fancy twirls, or dips. Just a gentle, easy sway of two people moving as one. Charlotte knew she could stay forever locked in the sanctuary of her husband's arms, where his whispers caressed her skin, and his breath massaged her neck.
Will every song we've sung stay with us forever?
Will you dance in my dreams or my arms until then?
"How are you?" He asked, attending to the slow sway of her hips with a steady hand. The slight quiver in his voice made Charlotte realize he needed confirmation their dance together was exorcizing any remaining ghosts of her past and this evening.
"Safe. And happy." Her fingers curled into the locks of hair at the back of Nathan's neck.
Under the moon the mountains lie sleeping
Over the lake stars shine
He kissed the top of her head, the simple gesture showering her in warmth. "You fit nicely in my arms, Charlie, have you noticed?"
Charlotte relished his possessive hold and the electricity that sparked wherever he touched her. "Actually, Nate, I noticed it the first time I danced with you."
"Really?" She could hear the gentle teasing in his voice. "And you've been too shy to share this observation with me?"
"Perhaps," Charlotte giggled. Lifting her gaze to his. Now eager to swim in his ocean-blue eyes. Stray currents of desire wound themselves around her hips, shoulders, and neck. Anywhere his touch or look lingered.
"Charlotte." Her name on his lips sounded smooth and sweet as it softly floated in the little space between them. Nathan grinned, that slow, delicious grin of his.
They wonder if you and I will be keeping
The magic and music or leave them behind.
As the final crescendo of violin music played from the stage, Nathan's left hand slipped behind her neck. His fingers twirling her hair into a loose coil before tilting her head. Feather-light caresses along her exposed jawline shuttered Charlotte's eyes and unfurled her lips for a moment before Nathan supplanted them with his own mouth. Unhurried and indulgent, his lips brought her whole body to life. Their embrace: so warm and loving it eliminated everything wrong with the world.
Nathan withdrew his lips and rested his forehead against hers. She sighed, savoring their closeness.
"Dance with me, Charlotte."
"I thought we were dancing."
He pulled his face far enough away that he could look at her squarely. Where his hand still rested on the side of her face, he tenderly rubbed his thumb over her cheekbone as he gave her that same smile shining out of his eyes. Eyes that were shimmering with the deep love they felt for one another.
In understanding, Charlotte's touch slid down his arm and entwined their hands together. Filling the empty space between her fingers with his. Fitting them together with ease and contentment, she squeezed Nathan's palm in reassurance before leading them off the dance floor and into the rest of their evening together.