Chapter 127- Turn Off The World

*As I mentioned a couple chapters ago, I will try my best to temper the harder stuff I'm writing with some sweeter, more intimate moments between our favorite characters.

This is some of the sweeter... In this posting we get support, tenderness, humor, and FLIRT-Y!

(Because Flirty Nathan is one of our favorites, right?)

Hope y'all enjoy reading this one as much as I did writing it.

Word spread quickly through the community and by the time Nathan and Charlotte had finished their discussion with Allie at the dock by the pond about Mr. Carl and his decision, every available member of Hope Valley was in place and ready to help in any way possible to make sure the Coulter's house was finished and ready to be moved into by Monday morning.

The Grants could not hold back their tears at the display of love and community that lay out before them. They worked the rest of the day and late into the night. Cutting lumber, nailing boards, painting walls, taking care of the younger children, making and serving refreshments for the workers and anything else that could be done in order for the house to be finished for Mr. Carl's deadline. Everyone had a part to play and there was a proud purpose to their actions.

It was well past midnight and Charlotte looked out the window of Archie and Maise's apartment and down the street. She couldn't quite see from this angle the Coulter's new house, but she could see the faintest glow from a few oil lamps illuminating down the street towards town and she knew that Nathan was still working away on the building while all the others had retired to get some rest before coming back Saturday morning.

She glanced over her shoulder at where Allie lay asleep on the couch in the living room of the apartment and Charlotte's memory floated back to the first time she had seen her daughter like this, almost two years ago. The evening after they had spent the day together fishing, visiting the library, eating ice cream, and watching a storm roll through the valley from the back steps of Charlotte's row house. Since Nathan had been away that day to Brookfield, helping Gabe on a case, Allie stayed and fell asleep reading Riders of the Purple Sage on Charlotte's couch. And just like that day, Charlotte felt a draw to come to Allie's side. Noting the girl who lay in front of her was no longer a child, but rather a young woman.

With a maturity beyond her years, Allie had handled the news of the custody review with such bravery and faith. She knew that Nathan, Charlotte, and so many others would see to it that the discrepancy in her adoption was cleared as soon as possible. Allie tried to see the positive in the situation that had her moving in with the Coulters. She would be able to put in more hours at the switchboard and earn some extra money this summer. She would be close to her friends and grandparents, and at the same time she would be able to help the Coulters juggle taking care of Fred and Patricia. Her upbeat outlook on it all was as much to help her parents come to terms with Mr. Carl's decision as it was for her.

As day turned to night, work had continued on the Coulter's house. But as the hours ticked on and it became harder to see, Nathan, Archie, and Joseph had directed most of the people to go home and get rest before meeting back at the house the next morning, bright and early. Allie and Charlotte, in a borrowed older dress from Rosemary, had worked alongside Nathan until after ten when, seeing Allie begin yawning, he sent them over to bunk in his parent's living room for the night. While Nathan said the reason he didn't want them driving up to the ranch was because it was so late, Charlotte secretly knew it had more to do with him not wanting them to be alone with Dylan still in town.

It was a warm summer evening, but Charlotte still pulled the light throw blanket over Allie's shoulders to tuck her in. The girl had been sound asleep since her head hit the pillow. Charlotte- not so much. She had tried to find a comfortable position in the chair, but her mind was with Nathan. Wondering, and worrying, how long he would continue to work into the night. She saw Joseph walk home and had assumed Nathan would be quitting as well for the night and joining them soon, but after over half an hour, Charlotte knew she needed to go check on him. She kissed Allie's forehead and left a note on the table in case anyone happened to wake up before she got back.

Remi lifted her head from her paws as Charlotte walked towards the door and whined in protest. "I know girl," Charlotte said, bending over to scratch behind the dog's soft ears. "I'm just going to check on Nathan. You stand guard while I'm gone, okay?"

As Charlotte neared the Coulter's house, she heard the rhythmic ssshhh… ssshhh… ssshhh of Nathan's saw. From where the oil lamps were shining out the open windows, Charlotte knew Nathan must be working on the flooring in the Coulter's kitchen. She climbed the back steps and knocked gently on the door frame. She heard a shuffling and laying down of tools before Nathan came to the door and opened it.

"Hi." Was all that came to her mind seeing the dark circles under her husband's eyes and the wood dust that had settled onto his extra set of civilian clothes he kept in the Mountie office.

"What are you still doing up? It's late."

"I could ask you the same question."

Nathan ran a shaky hand through his hair. "I'm doing the only thing I know how to right now to keep our daughter in Hope Valley."

Seeing the tears welling in her husband's eyes, Charlotte reached forward and cupped the side of his face, feeling his rough, stubbled cheeks under her touch. "I know," she said. "But you will be no use to any of us, especially Allie, if you get exhausted, which judging by these circles under your eyes, you already are."

Nathan placed his hand over Charlotte's where it rested on his cheek as he leaned into her touch. He was silent for a moment before moving slightly out of her reach and back towards his work on the flooring. "I'm sorry, Charlotte, but this is just something I have to do."

"Well then, let me help," she knelt beside him and started arranging the boards he had just cut. "It will go faster with both of us working on it."

Nathan gave her a rueful smile and then stood, drawing her up with him in his arms. "Charlie, go back to Mom and Dad's. Get some sleep." He directed. "At least one of us needs to be there for Allie over the next couple of days."

"No. We both need to be there for her. Don't you see that? With everyone's help, the house will come together. I know it will. But Nathan, our priority is to Allie. You have to take care of yourself so you can be there for her in ways that only her dad can."

"Dad, huh?" Nathan scoffed. "Doesn't seem like I am that anymore."

"You… you can't say that."

"Why can't I? It seems to be the truth."

"It's the farthest thing from the truth I think I have ever heard you say, Nathan Grant, and I better not hear those words ever come out of your mouth again. Do you hear me? Never again!" Nathan's eyes widened in shock at Charlotte's firmness. "No matter what the law defines you as, you will always be Allie's dad. You have taught her about life- and love. You are the person that has been there for her through everything and no matter how much you are hurting right now, and sweetheart, I know you are, you have to push that aside and be there for her again. Just like you always have. I know this is hard. I know this is unfair. And I know there will be times when you don't feel strong enough to face what is coming, but when you feel that way. Don't shut me out. You don't have to do this on your own anymore. Let me be there for you. This is a partnership, remember? And a good one, if I do say so myself."

Nathan tugged Charlotte's braid lightly, then skimmed his touch over her shoulder and down her arm to entwine their fingers together. Bringing Charlotte's hand to his lips Nathan kissed the back of her knuckles before turning her hand over to trace the lines in her palm. Memorizing their patterns as he spoke softly. "Did you see the way Dylan watched us all afternoon, leaning indolently against the post outside the saloon?"

"Of course, I did. But I tried not to let it affect me. Other than last Saturday he hasn't made any attempt at coming near us and more importantly, he hasn't tried to approach Allie. He's been keeping his distance."

"Yeah… and buying his time. I once remember telling Gabe that in my opinion bold men are often the most dangerous."

"Maybe his night in jail… Or you almost putting a fist to his face," Charlotte smirked. "Taught him that it's best just to avoid us."

"If he was trying to avoid us, he'd leave town. No… I think he's trying to set something up. I just haven't figured it out yet."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't help but wonder what Dylan's angle is to this."

"Nathan, I know you don't want to think this way, but maybe Dylan does just want to get to know Allie better?"

"No. You don't know him like I do."

"I understand that. It's just… Allie has mentioned that she wants to know more about him. To talk to him. Don't you think it's better if when she does, that we are there too? Like supervised visits or something?"

"No. He can't be trusted. He's gonna plan something. I just- I don't know what it is yet."

"But-"

"No, Charlie." Nathan said with a bit more force. "This is one of those things I need you to trust me on."

She searched his face and nodded in agreement. "I trust you, Nate. I always have and I always will."

They were both pensive and silent for a moment. Deep in their own thoughts before Nathan sighed heavily and looked away. Muttering under his breath. "I'm sorry if my job makes me believe the worst in people."

"Why on earth would you say that?"

"I don't know." He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "That's a lie. I know exactly why I said that." He turned his attention back to Charlotte. "It was something Elizabeth told me once. That night when Allie and the kids went in search of the haunted house and Opal got hurt. We were in the infirmary, and Elizabeth and I exchanged words about Lucas. She said she was sorry if my job makes me see the worst in people."

"Nathan," Charlotte said as she slowly slid her arms around his waist. Pulling her body close to his as she stared up into his blue gaze. "You don't see the worst in people. You follow your instincts and if you can't do that, you're in real trouble. Your instincts are what has kept you safe in your job. So, if your instincts are telling you something deeper about Dylan. I'm going to trust them. I'm going to trust you. You will always do what you think is right to care for and protect this family."

His arms tightened around her, and he smiled before capturing her lips with his. When he drew back, he traced the outline of Charlotte's face with a finger. "What do you say we both call it a night and get some rest. I guess the floor at mom and dad's place looks as good as any."

A mischievous grin spread across Charlotte's face.

"What?" Nathan questioned, seeing the sparkle in her eyes. "You're not thinking we should drive all the way home at this time of night, are you?"

"No… that's not what I was thinking."

"Then what?"

"I was wondering if the jail was available tonight?" Nathan's eyebrow raised in question, and she continued to explain. "If I remember correctly there are a couple of cots we could use. I'm not saying it will be as comfortable as our bed at home, but it should do the job just fine and still allow us to be able to move around in the morning. Because I hate to break it to ya, Sarge." Charlotte teased. "We're not as young as we used to be."

Hearing Nathan's laugh was like balm for both their weary hearts.

"Come," Charlotte said, taking his hand in hers. "This day has been long enough already."

"Well, it's not very homey, but it should serve the purpose for tonight," Charlotte said as she sat down on a cot in one of the jail cells.

Nathan gave her a tight smile before closing the door to one of his supply cabinets. He had pulled out a couple Mountie-issued blankets and lumpy pillows for them to use. Charlotte watched him move as he turned down the oil lamp. He looked tired, more than she had ever seen him before. He crossed to her and placed Charlotte's bedding on the cot beside her.

"Wait, where do you think you're going?" She asked after he had given her a goodnight kiss and then turned away.

"Just over here." Nathan said, nodding in the direction of the other cell.

"There's enough room for two on this 'ol cot."

"I'm afraid I won't be very good company."

"That's alright. I don't need company. I just need you." Her sympathetic eyes implored him. "Let's turn off the world together, Nathan. At least for tonight."

He stood in the silence for a moment, contemplating her offer. The cot was hardly big enough for one person, let alone two, but the thought of sleeping beside his wife tonight was a comfort that he knew he needed. She shifted then to create room for him to sit down. He took the invitation. Slipping his suspenders from his shoulders before removing his heavy boots. Each shoe dropping to the floor in a loud thud. As he untucked his shirt from his waistband, Charlotte readied the blankets and pillows for them. He moved so she could slip beneath the covers and then he slid in beside her, wilting into the cot.

They both had to lay on their sides to fit the small space, but they made it work. Charlotte pulled the blankets about Nathan's shoulder and then wrapped an arm around his waist. Pressing herself against his strong back. Nathan slid his own arm over hers at his ribs, gently gliding along its length.

"I love you," he muttered, his voice heavy with sleep. Unable to keep his eyes open any longer.

"I love you," she replied, moving her hand to smooth back his hair from his face. She leaned up on her elbow to place a kiss to his temple before again snuggling in close beside him. "Now get some rest, Sarge. Things will look better in the morning. I promise."

When Nathan awoke the next morning, it took him several minutes to sort out where he was. With the knowledge came the painful memories of the day before about Allie's adoption legality and Dylan Parks, but they were also tempered with the thoughts of their community coming to help the Grant family stay together and the tenderness and understanding of his wife as she took care of him last night.

A soft stirring in his office aroused him further. In the dim morning light coming through the windows, Nathan saw Charlotte across the room beside his small wood-burning stove, barefoot and attending to the old coffeepot he kept there. Nathan could tell by the way she moved that she was making a great effort to be quiet- which of course hampered her agility and gracefulness. She looked up when she finally heard him stir.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry." Charlotte apologized sincerely. There was concern and pain in her face. "I tried-"

"That's fine." Nathan took a deep breath and stretched his aching muscles before pulling his body upright on the cot. He was stiff and sore from the long hours he had put into working on the Coulter's house the day before. "I needed to be up anyway. I have so much to do."

"All that can wait until you've at least had some coffee, Sarge. I'm just getting it on now."

"Why didn't you wake me when you got up?" Nathan ran a hand over his face, trying to rid it of the lingering effects of his slumber.

"I thought you needed the rest." Charlotte glanced over her shoulder at him. "And selfishly, I didn't want to start this day without you sharing a cup of coffee with me." Once she set the coffeepot on, she walked over towards the jail. Crossing her legs and arms, one over the other, she leaned into the cell's door frame. "How are you feeling today?" Nathan knew she was studying him closely. "Did you sleep alright?"

"I dreamed an angel held me all night long," he smiled wryly, the sleep in his eyes quickly replaced by a glimmer of flirtation.

Charlotte couldn't help but laugh at his playfulness. The few hours of rest seemed to have done them both some good. As she had promised. Things looked better this morning.

"An angel, huh?" She pushed her hip off the jail cell and sauntered closer to the cot. Charlotte took Nathan's face into her hands, gently tilting it this way and that while threading her fingers into his unruly bed head. "Did you hit your noggin yesterday working on the house and forget to tell me?" She asked, jokingly inspecting his head for any bumps or cuts. "Because I think you have a concussion and are hallucinating this morning. Maybe I need to have Carson check you over."

"I think you are doing a fine job of checking me over, Nurse Grant." Quickly Nathan wrapped his arms around Charlotte's waist and pulled her down onto his lap, his action causing a squeal of delight to escape his wife's lips. He silenced her with a thorough and proper kiss. Holding her close with one hand threading into her wavy hair at the nape of her neck, while his other pressed into her lower back, drawing her near.

"Well…" she whispered against his lips, as she was scarcely able to breathe. Her arms interlocked behind his neck, keeping them tight within each other's embrace. "I think that kiss is the definition of a good morning."

Nathan's chuckle was warm against her cheek as Charlotte idly twisted her fingers through his thick, dark hair. "I forgot how much I wanted to kiss you in here since that day last fall when you brought me the apple and then flirtatiously asked if this was where I locked up all the pretty outlaws." His kiss moved along her jaw to the sensitive spot just below her ear. "And all I could think about was wondering if Joseph was still in town so he could marry us right then and there. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about that anymore." His lips trailed further down her neck to the edges of her blouse and Charlotte's breath caught.

"Yes…" She muttered as her eyes closed with the warm stirring her husband was creating inside her. "Thank goodness."

Putting a stop to things going much further, the coffeepot began to sputter, and Charlotte quickly jumped up and made her way to the stove to remove it from the heat before the liquid had a chance to boil over.

Nathan was soon beside her at the stove. "Smells good," he said, his hands on her shoulders. "I'll get a couple mugs out of the cabinet."

Charlotte poured a cup for Nathan first and set it on his desk as he took a seat in his chair. She returned to the stove and poured a mug full of hot brew for herself too. Instead of taking a seat in the chair across from Nathan, she found a cleared spot on his desk and sat down in front of him. Crossing her legs in a fashion that had Nathan sputtering on the sip of coffee he had just taken. As he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, Charlotte rewarded him with a feminine giggle of delight.

"Easy there Sarge," she took a seductive drink of her own, not breaking eye contact with him over the edge of her cup. "I know I usually brew it a little stronger than you, but as you said, we have plenty of work to get done today. I thought I'd give you a little extra… boost."

Nathan's Adam's apple bobbed on a swallow. His mouth was suddenly dry.

Charlotte again gave him a small chuckle and changed the topic to safer things to discuss over morning coffee. "So, what needs completed on the house today."

"Everything?" He laughed softly. "I don't know. There is... A lot. Even if we have enough people to complete it all by Monday, I don't think we have enough supplies. Ned was still waiting on some of the windows to be delivered and we are running low on a lot of other materials that we need in order to get the house at least livable." Nathan leaned forward and set his mug down on the desk. Scooting his chair forward he placed his hands on Charlotte's waist, lazily tracing along the curves of her sides. "I don't know if we are going to be able to pull this off. I honestly don't."

Charlotte set down her coffee then too and then reached forward to take Nathan's face into her hands. She tipped it gently back, so he had to look in her eyes. "God says he will meet all our needs. I will have faith that he will provide and bless us abundantly."

Just then, the door to Nathan's office opened and a winded Henry stuck his head in. "Oh good! You're both here."

"Henry, what is it?" Nathan said, standing and rounding the corner of his desk.

"Come with me. You need to see this."