"But how about this? I will tell you a secret about me, if you tell me a secret about you."

Nathan looked into Elizabeth's teasing eyes as his mind swirled of what secret he could tell. He had been guarding his heart for so long that he had shoved down so many things he wanted to tell her through the years. Disbelief flooded his senses for the hundredth time since she had confessed her love. He sat staring into the beautiful face of the woman he had loved for years; it was tilted looking up at him just inches away.

Knowing she had to make the first move, Elizabeth paused briefly before lifting her hand and running her fingers through his luscious dark locks of hair that slightly curled at the ends. She shyly looked into his eyes as her hands made their way to the stubble on his cheek. "I've secretly wanted to feel your hair between my fingers for a really long time. Your turn."

Trying to slow down his racing heart from her simple touch, Nathan was once again amazed that the woman he loved was finally loving him back. Elizabeth admitting to having wanted that physical contact with him for a long time made his heart soar! His mind was having a hard time forming a coherent thought, but he knew he had to share something with her.

Not wanting to go too deep yet, Nathan decided to keep it simple. "When I saw you in that wedding dress last fall, I knew I would never be able to find another woman as beautiful as you…not in a million years."

"In that monstrosity?" she laughed, then felt a little heat rising up her neck. "I have to admit that the way you looked at me that day really had a profound effect on the choices I ended up making. You've always made me feel beautiful." She leaned in to kiss him, but before their lips touched, Allie and Jack came running back with their pail full of blackberries.

"To be continued…" Nathan exhaled, then began clearing up plates and placing them inside the picnic basket. He hoped they would be able to keep sharing more secrets…as long as they didn't get interrupted.

Allie put Jack to bed after a fun, but busy, day; then knowingly, went home to give Nathan and Elizabeth some much-needed alone time together. They sat on the sofa, his arm around her while her head rested on his broad shoulder. Sitting in comfortable silence, neither one of them wanted to lose the feeling of home they were experiencing. Secrets had been on Nathan's mind since the picnic earlier. He knew there had to be some that still needed to be shared.

Never wanting their time together to end, Elizabeth sighed in contentment. "Thank you again for today, Nathan. It truly was the most perfect day." Thinking back to Jack's riding lesson and the family picnic brought a smile to her face, and Elizabeth knew she could definitely get used to this.

Nathan's crooked grin had been a permanent fixture since their first kiss. He gently stroked her arm with his large, yet gentle, hand. "Lizbeth," he nearly whispered thoughtfully. "When you brought up secrets, was there something specific you were hoping to discuss with me?"

Lifting her head up to look at him, Elizabeth suddenly felt nervous. "I guess, in a way, I just want to make sure we are sharing everything with each other so we can have the strongest relationship possible. I never felt comfortable really opening up to Lucas, and clearly he didn't tell me any secrets."

"I can tell there's something you want to know from me," Nathan observed. "You can ask me anything, Lizbeth. I already told you I'm an open book, especially to you."

Remembering how he helped her feel brave, Elizabeth asked one of her questions. "Nathan, have you ever been in love before?"

"Not like this," he answered honestly. "Have I had some other relationships? A few. I kind of had a childhood sweetheart; but when I joined the Mounties, she was quick to marry another boy we grew up with. I was so young, and she was more of a friend than anything. Being a Mountie made it hard to have long-term relationships, as you know. When I took in Allie, that really changed things for me. I knew that I would have to be really careful about bringing someone like that into my life. Allie needed stability after all she had gone through."

A tear fell down Elizabeth's cheek and she felt a warm hand brush it away. She looked into his eyes and murmured, "Nathan, you are the most selfless, loving man I've ever known. Taking in a child as a single Mountie and putting her well being above your own really shows your character. Then coming here to watch over me and Jack. I don't know if I even deserve you."

Nathan lifted her chin with his hand so she was looking directly into his steel blue eyes. "Trust me, you deserve everything good this world has to offer. I never meant to fall in love with you, but I'm the most blessed man in the world to have your love in return. I came to Hope Valley out of duty, and stayed out of love. While we're sharing secrets, I still have moments when I feel guilty being here when Jack isn't."

Grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, Elizabeth looked down and took a deep breath. "I've never told anyone this before, but I've also felt guilty all these years. I was angry with Jack for leaving me right after our wedding. He put his calling as a Mountie above everything…even me sometimes. I do wonder if he would have changed after becoming a father, but I'm not really sure. You've always put those you love above your job."

Wanting to take her pain away, Nathan pulled her face towards his and captured her lips with his own. He marveled at how natural kissing Elizabeth felt, like they had been doing it forever. When he finally pulled away to catch his breath, he rested his forehead against hers and said softly, "What happened to Jack was a tragic accident. We've both felt guilt over it; but it seems to me, greater forces brought us together to make something beautiful out of tragedy. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and honest heart with me."

Snuggling back into Nathan's arms, Elizabeth felt a warmth wash over her. "You always know just what to say. I love the thought that a higher power brought us together after tragedy. I think that's what scared me most when you confessed your love; the intensity of what I felt for you…what I feel for you."

Nathan kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of her that had intoxicated him for years. He couldn't wait to share secrets with Elizabeth for the rest of their lives.