Running his fingers through the thick hair he had let grow a bit longer, Nathan let out a deep breath. He had been a bundle of nerves since Allie had helped him work out a plan to spend a little one-on-one time with Elizabeth that evening. It was going to be a splendid summer night; perfect for going to the place he was eager to show her. Most of their time together had been with the kids, but the thought of being alone with the woman he loved was both exciting and terrifying at the same time. He had openly professed to not being good at romance.

Brought out his thoughts by Allie's knocking, he quickly covered his bare torso with a short sleeved Henley and opened his bedroom door. "Sorry, I'm almost ready. Thank you so much for all of your help, Allie. I owe you."

"Hey, I'm doing this for me as much as you, since you promised to pay double my babysitting fee," Allie teased. "I hope you plan on wearing something a little nicer than that ratty old Henley."

Blushing a little, Nathan pulled out a brand-new shirt Allie had never seen before. "I bought this while in Benson Hills last week. My favorite blue shirt has seen better days and just doesn't fit like it used to." He slipped into the shirt and started doing up buttons as he walked with his daughter down the stairs. He stopped with a few buttons to go, then tucked in his shirt as he pulled up his brown suspenders and rolled up the sleeves to be more comfortable in the summer heat. He saw two picnic baskets on the kitchen table and smiled. "I'm sure both Elizabeth and Jack will be glad that you are the one who prepared the food for tonight. It smells great!"

Allie grinned and pulled on his arm. "We better not keep them waiting!" She found Scout's leash, and the three of them headed in the direction of the Thornton row house.

Looking in the mirror, Elizabeth fingered her shorter locks and nervously pulled at her shorter pink skirt. Would Nathan approve of her fresh new look? Fiona, and some of the other ladies in town, insisted she get with the times and embrace the newer trends as they entered a new decade. She had cut her hair a few weeks ago, then Rosemary had helped her select and hem new skirts to be above her ankles for the first time in Elizabeth's life. New shoes completed the ensemble, but all she cared about was gaining approval from a pair of ocean blue eyes that made her feel attractive. Goosebumps covered her bare skin, even in the heat, as she thought about the way she felt when Nathan had looked at her in the "wrong" wedding dress.

"Mama, when will Allie and Mountie Nathan be here?" little Jack asked. "She promised to take me for a picnic at the park with Scout!"

Elizabeth smiled. "That sounds like fun, Jack. Promise me you'll listen to Allie and not run off."

Nodding his head, Jack paused for a minute then wondered aloud something that had been on his mind. "Mama? Are you going to marry Mountie Nathan?"

Doing her best to remain calm despite her racing heart, Elizabeth sat down and motioned for her son to join her on the sofa. She looked into his inquisitive eyes and tried to give an answer to something she was unsure of herself. "Tonight, I'm going to spend some time with Mountie Nathan while you spend time with Allie. They are both very important to us; but right now, I'm not sure what the future holds. I promise before I make any decisions about getting married, I will talk to you about it first."

Before Jack could really react, a loud knock at the door prompted the little boy to run over and throw it open. Scout immediately bounded inside and smothered him with kisses, while Allie tried to keep the mutt outside. "Are we going to the park right now?" Jack squealed.

"Sure," Allie responded. Looking at Nathan and then Elizabeth she snickered, "Don't stay out too late, you two." Then she and Jack disappeared down the lane with Scout and their picnic basket in tow.

Turning to face Nathan, Elizabeth took in the sight of him and felt a little breathless. "New shirt, I see," she casually remarked as they sauntered toward the door. "It looks nice."

Not used to receiving compliments about his looks, Nathan felt heat move up his neck and onto his cheeks. "Thanks," he nearly whispered, trying to focus on where they were going. "It seems your wardrobe has been a little updated as well," he observed. "Shorter hair, and now a shorter skirt? You really are embracing this new era we're entering into."

Embarrassed, Elizabeth glanced at Nathan, but only found adoration and longing staring back at her. Clearing her throat, she motioned to the basket he was carrying. "We get our own little picnic, too? You were very vague regarding your plans for this evening."

"It's a surprise," Nathan insisted, as they reached the livery. Henry had Newton and Sergeant all ready to go when they arrived. After attaching the basket to Newton's saddle, Nathan helped Elizabeth mount Sarg before doing the same himself on Newt. "Follow me," he instructed, as they rode out of town toward the higher elevations of the mountains nearby.

Riding side-by-side for just over half an hour, they stopped near a stream where the horses could graze and drink while they ate their picnic in a nice shady spot at the base of the mountain, or more accurately, a really tall hill that overlooked most of Hope Valley. Nathan spread out a blanket and began setting up their picnic. He found a perfect yellow rose inside the basket and knew Allie had been scheming to add a touch of romance to their outing. He walked over to Elizabeth, who was stroking Newton's neck and speaking softly to him.

"I hope you two aren't sharing secrets," Nathan joked. As Elizabeth turned around, he held out the rose. "Um, you know, yellow roses represent friendship."

Eyes wide, Elizabeth thanked him and put it to her nose. "Is this from the rosebush in your backyard? It's gorgeous." Then giving him a hard time, she added, "Friendship, huh?"

Putting his face in his hands, Nathan groaned. "Sorry, that came out wrong. Of course, I consider you a friend…maybe my very best friend." Their eyes locked and time seemed to stand still. Nathan then shared something he had never vocalized before. "Growing up, my mother had a flower garden in our yard. It was the one thing that brought her joy during difficult times. I would often help her plant things, and she was always reading about the meaning of different flowers. Roses were always her favorite, especially yellow. That's why I knew the meaning of them. When we finally decided to settle here, Allie chose to plant yellow roses first. I think she remembered them from Colleen's grave."

"Nathan," Elizabeth said softly. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it isn't always easy remembering those things about your family." To lighten the mood, she patted him on the back and quipped, "I really love my friendship rose."

Shaking his head, Nathan chuckled as he wondered if that line was worse than, The founders would be proud. "Let's eat," he insisted. "We have more ground to cover before we lose daylight."

As they ate the sandwiches and fruit prepared by Allie, Nathan and Elizabeth talked about their busy day and the kids. They leaned against a rock, their arms nearly touching. "I don't think I've ever explored this area before," Elizabeth commented. "I'm sure as a Mountie, you know all of the hidden treasures in our little hamlet."

"I do cover quite a bit of territory during rounds," he admitted. Nathan closed his eyes as Elizabeth's scent overwhelmed his senses. Not wanting to get too distracted, he opened his eyes and started gathering up all the dishes and putting them back in the basket.

Curious to find out where he was taking her, Elizabeth quickly helped clear their picnic. Both of them reached for a plate at the same time and their fingers brushed. Her heart leapt as she felt heat, not just a spark, like the time they were picking up library books. Their eyes met as they both remembered that first time their hands touched all of those years ago. Why had she denied her feelings for so long?

Lost again in her eyes, feeling the lightning from her touch, it took all of Nathan's willpower to stand up and get the horses. "We'll take these guys most of the way up, then walk the rest of the way. It's not extremely far, but the view is worth it."

They rode their horses up the trail until they reached a clearing near the top of the hill. Nathan helped Elizabeth down from Sergeant and tethered both horses to a log near some grass and water. "It's just over that rise up there," Nathan explained. He reached out, and Elizabeth immediately slipped her hand into his. He effortlessly helped her up a few steep rocks, before entering a lush field of grass at the very top of the hill where they were able to see all of Hope Valley. Just as the sun was moving further behind the mountains behind them, shades of purples, pinks, and blues lit up the sky. Gold flecks gleamed through the grass as it reached the magical hour of the sun's descent.

"Oh, Nathan!" Elizabeth murmured. "I've never seen anything more glorious in my life!" They were no longer holding hands but stood close enough that her arm lightly brushed his stomach as his hands rested in his pockets. "What a wonderful view of home." She turned her head to look up at him. His eyes held hers, just like so many times before; but this time, neither one of them wanted to look away.

As the colors of the sunset fell on the most magnificent woman he had ever known, Nathan couldn't stop himself from reaching out and touching strands of her hair that glowed in the sunlight. "Lizbeth, if you didn't already know, you're simply beautiful. I think pink looks great on you, and I love your hair this way." He moved his thumb over her jawline and rubbed his knuckles down her bare neck. "I wanted to bring you up here, because it is a special place to me; one that I've never shown anyone…until today. When I first discovered it, I immediately felt like this little valley was home. But standing here right now, I realize that you are my home. Every time I tried to leave; you kept me here."

Tears began forming in Elizabeth's eyes, hearing this man, who always wore his heart on his sleeve, be so open and vulnerable. Her heart felt as if it might burst. "I know exactly what you mean," she began. "When I was faced with possibly having to leave Hope Valley, it was you I couldn't bear leaving, not just the town. As much as I love Hope Valley, I love you more!" Elizabeth turned to face Nathan directly and reached to circle her arms around his neck. One of his arms pulled her closer, while the other hand rested behind her neck and pulled her face closer to him, their lips meeting in a sweet and tender kiss that felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Nathan gently pulled back and looked into Elizabeth's eyes, trying to read them, after the brief, yet blissful, kiss. Her eyes were full of fire, and she looked down at his lips for a brief moment before he bent down and kissed her again, with far more passion and longing than he had before. She responded in a way that made his knees go weak and turned his brain to mush. Eventually needing air, they broke apart and Nathan pulled her into a comfortable embrace.

"I think it will start getting dark soon," Elizabeth finally voiced, as she felt their hearts slow back down to a normal rhythm. "We better get back to the kids."

Forcing his mind back to protector mode, Nathan sighed. "You're right. We need to go. Thanks for coming up here with me, Elizabeth. You're the one person I wanted to share this place with."

Walking in silence, hand in hand, they both knew something had changed. It wasn't until they had parted ways later that night, that Elizabeth finally knew the answer to little Jack's question. Yes, she thought to herself. I am going to marry Mountie Nathan. She touched her fingers to her lips, remembering the kiss they shared as they overlooked Hope Valley and both knew they were home.