The next day, Nathan stood by the front door helping Allie with her winter things, "We want to make sure you are warm enough. Hopefully it won't take too long to find a tree though."

"Uncle Nathan, we need to find the perfect tree! Even if we are out there all day!"

Nathan smiled and nodded his head. A perfect tree it would be. Nathan had gone out early that morning and borrowed a wagon from Lee to take out to get the tree. After Allie was ready, they both got into the wagon and headed down to the Thornton house. As they parked in front, Nathan heard Elizabeth call behind them. She was coming out of the Coulter house and waved in their direction.

"Hello you two, are you ready to find a tree?"

"Yes Mrs. Thornton. I am so excited!"

"Is Jack coming with us," Nathan asked.

"No, I decided it would be best for him to stay home out of the cold. Rosemary offered to watch him for the afternoon."

Nathan held out his hand and helped Elizabeth into the wagon. Allie was sitting in the wagon behind them with a blanket on top of her lap. Nathan had a blanket on his lap as well. Once Elizabeth settled into the wagon next to him, he put the blanket on his lap as well. Elizabeth scooted closer saying, "Thank you Nathan, this is better." She smiled at him. He smiled back slightly and then looked straight ahead.

The three of them traveled for a little while outside of town. Elizabeth pointed the directions to go until they finally arrived at the right spot. Nathan jumped down helping Elizabeth down first. He put hands on her waist as she stepped down, standing close to him. They looked into each other's eyes and Elizabeth thought she saw worry or like he wanted to say something to her. "Nathan…." she whispered.

"Uncle Nathan can you help me?"

Nathan stepped back and smiled at Elizabeth. He looked over at Allie, "Sure, Allie-girl. Here you go," and helped her down.

Allie ran ahead determined to find the tree. Nathan had told her earlier that she would need to find two trees. Even though Elizabeth hadn't said anything about needing one, Lee had mentioned that she hadn't had time to get a tree yet. He thought it would be nice for them to have two trees today and he could help her set it up when they got home.

"Allie, don't run too far ahead!" Nathan yelled as Allie ran through the trees.

Nathan walked side by side with Elizabeth. He started to think about the promotion to inspector and what that would mean. He had moved so many times with Allie before, but this time would be different. Allie had made so many friends in Hope Valley. She was doing better in school and enjoying it too. Plus then there was Elizabeth. Part of him knew that he wasn't ready to open himself up, but the more he spent time with Elizabeth the more he wanted to.

"Nathan, is everything ok?"

"What? Oh, did you say something Elizabeth?"

"Is something wrong? You seem distracted."

"I'm fine. It's a beautiful day, we're going to find trees. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

Elizabeth felt her breath catch at the way Nathan looked at her, "Trees? I thought you just needed one for your row house?"

"I heard that you might need one too. We will make sure you and Jack have a beautiful Christmas tree."

Tears started to form in her eyes as she turned away, putting her hand to her face. "I have been so busy trying to plan Jack's birthday that I completely forgot about a tree. Thank you Nathan for thinking of that."

"I found them! Over here!" Nathan and Elizabeth heard Allie call from between the trees.

Nathan and Elizabeth walked over and there was Allie standing between two identical looking trees. The branches at the bottom were almost touching they were so close together.

"I was walking the other way and then I turned and saw these. I knew these were our trees! Aren't they great?" Allie asked.

"You know Allie, when it's right you can just feel it," Elizabeth said.

Nathan looked at Elizabeth as she said it, wondering if she was talking about something other than the trees. "Ok, let's cut these down and get them loaded into the wagon. I think we have some trees to decorate today."

––––––––––

Nathan stopped at Elizabeth's house to set up the first tree. Elizabeth showed him where to put it, standing back to make sure it was straight. Once Nathan had it set up so it wouldn't fall over, they went to the Grant house with the next tree. Nathan and Allie offered to help decorate Elizabeth's tree but she wanted to do it with Jack when he was awake. She told them now was usually when he took his nap so she offered to come with them. Nathan carried the tree into the house as Elizabeth and Allie stood back. After it was set, he asked them, "would anyone like some hot chocolate before we decorate?"

"Mrs. Thornton, can you stay for hot chocolate and decorating?"

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to intrude if you would like to do it yourselves."

"Please stay Elizabeth. If you would like to that is."

"Yes, thank you."

They all shared hot chocolate with marshmallows as Allie talked about all the ornaments she had made in school. She explained each one to Nathan in great detail. Elizabeth noticed that he listened to everything she was saying, asking questions and looking at them all. He had been Allie's guardian since she was four but Elizabeth thought they were more father and daughter.

"Can we start to hang ornaments now?" Allie asked.

Nathan laughed, "yes Allie, we can start."

Allie got up, running to the boxes to get out all the ornaments and Nathan and Elizabeth walked over behind her. They had each hung a few ornaments on the tree when Elizabeth pulled out a red bird ornament out of one of the boxes. She thought it was beautiful and she didn't have any like it herself. She walked over to the tree, trying to hang it on a high branch. Nathan was trying to find an ornament when he turned and saw Elizabeth struggling to hang the ornament.

"Oh let me help you," Nathan said, coming up behind Elizabeth and reaching for the ornament over her head. He hung it on the branch and Elizabeth turned towards him. She didn't realize how close he was standing to her so she reached out and grabbed his arms to keep from falling back into the tree.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said quietly. She looked up at Nathan and his eyes were a brighter blue than she ever remembered seeing before. She saw all the feelings that she felt mirrored in his eyes. Elizabeth glanced at Nathan's lips, wondering what it would feel like to touch his lips with hers. She looked back up and saw that he was looking at her lips as well. Nathan started to lean in and Elizabeth closed her eyes.

"Uncle Nathan, where are the ornaments that grandma sent?"

Nathan pulled back. "I'm sorry Elizabeth," he said as he walked over to Allie. Elizabeth stood there for a moment trying to calm her breathing. It was in that moment that she knew she had fallen for Nathan Grant.

––––––––––

Bill was sitting in his office going over paperwork. He had skipped lunch and he was starting to get hungry. He looked at the clock on the shelf and it was almost dinner time. He decided to call it a night. It was almost Christmas after all. He heard a knock at his door and sighed. I guess it wouldn't be an early night after all, "Come in."

"Hello, are you the mayor?" a man walked in and asked.

"Most of the time. Who is asking?"

"My name is Joseph Canfield. I am the new pastor. I believe you were expecting me?"

"Yes. Yes. Welcome to Hope Valley. When did you get in?"

"Just this afternoon. I was walking around the town with my wife and children when someone told me where your office was. I was hoping you could tell me of any available homes in the area. I inquired at the mercantile and they told me the hotel was above the saloon. I don't think that would be appropriate for my family."

"Yes of course. There is a cabin just outside of town where the previous pastor used to live. It should be big enough for your family. Why don't I get my horse and I can take you out there now?"

"Are you sure you aren't busy right now?" Joseph asked.

"Not at all, I've been looking for a reason to get out of the office today. Let's go get you settled in. The town will be thrilled to have a pastor in the church for Christmas services," Bill said holding out his hand.

"I can't wait to meet everyone," Joseph said shaking Bill's hand. He hoped that Hope Valley would be more accepting to his family than previous towns had been. Everyone he had met so far seemed kind so he hoped his good luck would continue.