Wednesday, DECEMBER 28, 1909

Nathan and Gabe were very nervous as they waited at the train station for the two women to whom they would be pledging their lives. Seeing the other matches that Mrs. Hendricks had made with fellow Mountie brothers had convinced them. Of course, Gabe had at least corresponded with Faith and had spoken on the phone twice. They had gotten to know one another, and he was well on his way to being in love.

But Nathan wouldn't know anything of Elizabeth until after they were married. The only reason he wasn't shaking in his boots was that his bride-to-be was very close to Mrs. Hendricks herself. He happened to know that the woman was very fond of his mother and adored Allie. His mother and Mrs. Hendricks had grown quite fond of each other in the four years they worked on potential matches.

Nathan felt Allie go limp in his arms and looked down to see that she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He heard a little snore and adjusted her a little more securely in his arms. She then began snuggling her face deeper into his neck. Looking over at his friend, they exchanged a smile, and Nathan silently prayed Elizabeth would love her as much as he did.

Nathan recalled when his mother told him about finding a bride. He and Gabe had been a bit shocked to find out she was from a wealthy Hamilton family. He was just a down-to-earth person and certainly not someone that would fit into society. But he became intrigued when his mother and Mrs. Hendricks explained that Elizabeth had been disinherited because she wanted to teach rather than be a society wife. He was excited after hearing she was well-read and loved to read a variety of genres and authors.

He was brought out of his reverie by the sound of the train coming into the station and the noise it created. The noise woke a sleeping Allie up, and she covered her ears as the trains screeched to a stop and the whistle blew, causing Gabe and Nathan to chuckle. They moved closer as people began to get off. While they waited for Mrs. Hendricks, a very pretty blonde and a beautiful brunette stepped down from the train laughing. Nathan was struck by the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had blue eyes, the colors of sapphires, and a mischievous smile playing about her lips as she was saying something causing the blonde to laugh.

He couldn't take his eyes off her and could only watch as they headed to where the porters were unloading the bags. If he had been able to look at Gabe, he could see that he was similarly afflicted by the blond woman. They were brought back to reality when Moira spotted Mrs. Hendricks, and they saw Mrs. Hendricks step down with two other ladies, one a blond and a brunette. They appeared to be conversing with her, so they assumed it was Elizabeth and Faith. While they were pretty in their own right, Nathan couldn't get the other woman out of his mind.

"Moira! Gabe! Nathan! Miss Allie! it's good to see all of you." Catherine said, giving them hugs. "I'm sure you're anxious to meet your new brides!" As they approached, the other women had left, so they were growing anxious to meet their brides. "Faith! Elizabeth!" she called out.

To Gabe and Nathan's amazement, the first two women they had seen turned their heads and began walking toward them. As they drew close, Catherine gently guided Faith over to stand by Gabe and said, "Gabe Kinslow, this is Faith Carter."

Then her eyes softened, and she smiled as she gently placed an arm around the other woman and guided her toward Nathan, Allie, and Moira. "Elizabeth, let me introduce you to Nathan Grant."

Elizabeth and Nathan's eyes met and instantly locked on to each other. They could feel the instant connection as their eyes met, causing their hearts to race and butterflies to form in their stomach. For a moment, they were transported to a place where only the two of them existed as they exchanged shy smiles. Hearing a cough, they were brought back to reality. "Elizabeth, I would also like to introduce you to my dear friend and Nathan's mother, Moira."

"It's so nice to meet all of you," Elizabeth said. Nathan saw her eyes soften as she took in the toddler beside him. Without a word, she just kneeled in front of Allie and asked gently. "Who might you be?"

Allie was shy and didn't say anything at first and tried to hide a bit behind her uncle's leg. Elizabeth said, "Hmm! A mystery to solve, then. Let me see would you be Princess Allie of Aberdeen?"

Allie giggled, startling everyone around her because it was the first that she had giggled since her mother passed. She just shook her head at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth giggled and said, "Hmm!" tapping her finger on her chin to show she was really thinking hard. Then she said in mock distress, "Oh, how could I be so mistaken! Of course, I know who you are now! You are her royal majesty Queen Allie of Aberdeen! I am so sorry, your Majesty. Please forgive me." Elizabeth smiled and clasped her hands, pleading and batting her eyelashes at the little girl. When Allie began to giggle, so did Elizabeth.

"No, I just Allie," the little girl said with another giggle, finally coming out from hiding. Elizabeth's eyes softened as she reached and touched the cheek.

"Oh, Sweetheart, you're never just anything. You are Allie Grant, and from what I understand, very, very special to many people who love you."

Nathan watched in amazement and quickly thanked God for sending Elizabeth his way. It was evident that Elizabeth was genuine in her interaction with Allie, and Allie picked up on it. To everyone's amazement, Allie just reached her arms out for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth raised a brow in question to Nathan before proceeding. When he nodded and smiled at her, she almost forgot what she was doing, but Allie reached out for her again. As Elizabeth took Allie in her arms, he caught the scent of Lavender with a hint of Lily. Allie put her arms around Elizabeth's neck, sighed, and said the words Nathan was thinking.

"You smell vewy nice. Like Gamma's flower garden," Allie added, making the rest of them laugh. Nathan was charmed, the ice was broken, and the awkwardness was erased.

"Let me get your bags, Miss Thatcher," Nathan said.

She smiled and said, "Given that we are very soon to be married, you can call me Elizabeth." May I call you Nathan?"

Nathan chuckled and said, "Of course, Elizabeth."

"Aunt Catherine told me about your sister, and I'm sorry for your loss, Nathan," Elizabeth said. He loved how she said his name because it felt almost like a caress.

"Thank you, Lizbeth," he said, instantly charming her. They looked up finally to see that the others had gone a bit ahead to give them space, but now the two older women were looking back at the three of them and smiling. Gabe and Faith were having a similar reaction to each other as Nathan, Elizabeth, and Allie.

"I would say that you have added two more successful matches to your credit Catherine," Moira said. "Elizabeth is as sweet and beautiful as you said she was. It does my heart good to see Allie laugh and show happiness. Not to mention seeing Nathan show any interest in another woman. After what Alice Patterson did to him, I thought he would never open up again."

"Well, I can tell you that I have never seen Elizabeth so animated by a man. In Hamilton, she is known to be a bit bookish and standoffish in society drawing rooms. She has never been one to like all the trapping that being a society Matron brings with it, unlike her two sisters." Catherine said, "Though she doesn't know how to cook or care for a home, she is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and work hard."

"I'm sure that by the time they have to leave Aberdeen, she will be able to manage with confidence," Moira said, smiling. "But for now, we need to get them married." The ladies chuckled, and before long, the couples stood together in front of a pastor. The pastor's wife had arranged for them to change into their wedding dresses, and Elizabeth and Faith walked down the aisle together. She also made their bouquets from red roses and leftover Christmas greenery. Moira had arranged for a friend who had a camera to come and take photos for them to remember the day.

The wedding was short, and each couple exchanged simple gold bands. Nathan gently kissed Elizabeth's hand, knowing that it was too soon for anything more for either of them. But from the moment they joined hands, both felt the combination of sparks and a feeling of home from their first touch. For the first time since Elizabeth began her journey west, she realized that she was not nervous anymore and was looking forward to whatever the future brought with this man who was now her husband.

The pastor and his wife said a few local ladies had set up a small reception. Elizabeth was a bit nervous until Nathan took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm as they followed everyone out to head to the rectory.

"Nathan, this church is simply beautiful, and the grounds, too," Elizabeth said.

"I would have to agree with you, Miss Thatcher," Nathan said. Then when he realized how he addressed her quickly corrected it. "I mean Elizabeth,"

Elizabeth giggled. "That's all right. I know it will take a bit of getting used to. Although with the addition of the rings on our fingers, it's Mrs. Grant now,"

Nathan's heart raced, and warmth spread, hearing her call herself Mrs. Grant. "Mrs. Elizabeth Grant," He said with a smile. "It certainly has a nice ring, doesn't it?" he teased.

"Pun intended?" Elizabeth caught on immediately at his attempt at a joke and giggled. Then she whispered, "I think so too, Nathan," as she smiled brightly.

Nathan's heart soared when he felt her fingers give a bit of a squeeze to his forearm. He couldn't understand it, but he was falling quickly for her, and what he was experiencing was unlike anything he had ever known. He had heard others speak of love at first sight but had been skeptical. Now, as he examined the feelings coursing through him, he was becoming a believer. What was really startling, too, was that he was usually very shy around women, but with Elizabeth, it was as if they had known each other for a long time. As they walked together, she held his arm. He placed his hand over hers. They both looked down as he did, and they could see the wedding band on his hand on full display.

Elizabeth just looked at Nathan and smiled brightly, causing her eyes to sparkle. It was impossible to miss the happiness that was on display. 'What do you know? I found someone who is happy to be with me.' Nathan thought.

They had arrived as they entered the café friends of the Grants and Gabe stepped forward to welcome Elizabeth and Faith. Nathan couldn't help noticing that although Faith was a bit nervous, Elizabeth handled everyone easily and graciously. Elizabeth even managed with Allie clinging to her. At one point, Elizabeth bent down, pulled the three-year-old up, and held her on her hip. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of a wonderful wife.

Nathan grinned as he looked at her. Whether sensing him looking at her or just wanting to see him, she turned and began looking for him. When she found him, her smile made her light up and made her look stunning. As he saw her standing with Allie, he became a firm believer that love at first sight did happen. Little did he know, but Elizabeth had fallen in love with him and Allie the same way; instant and irrevocably.

After a light brunch and a cake cutting, along with a few more pictures, the couples, Moira, Catherine, and Allie, headed home. Allie insisted on riding with Nathan and Elizabeth. Once Nathan helped Elizabeth onto the wagon seat, he handed Allie over, and she promptly settled in her lap. He couldn't help briefly comparing Elizabeth and Alice. As he climbed up and took the reins, he was thankful for escaping what he could see now would have been a disastrous fate. Whatever feelings he had for Alice paled in comparison to the love he felt for his wife. He needed to thank Alice for seeing what he hadn't. Watching Elizabeth, it was hard to see that she was a society-bred woman because she seemed to revel in the sights and sounds of the frontier.