Elizabeth scooted out of Nathan's arms and started apologizing until she saw his amused look.
"I know," she said, feeling sheepish. Then she chuckled as she said, "It is silly to keep apologizing for accidental contact or even when we are sharing the same bed and are man and wife."
Nathan nodded as he turned on his side and raised up on his elbow. He couldn't help himself and started laughing as Elizabeth repeated his actions and joined him.
"I guess it's going to take time for us to get used to a lot about being married," Elizabeth chuckled.
"How about we stop apologizing and just carry on," Nathan suggested. "We both know that we are not ready for marital intimacy, and nothing that has happened so far is in that scope. I suggest that we just let our instincts guide us."
"Your right, Nathan, and I think it would make it easier to adjust to everything if we don't have to apologize for everything constantly," Elizabeth said as she sat up.
"It shouldn't surprise either one of us that we gravitated towards each other in our sleep. We both know that there is an attraction between us that bodes well for our marriage. Frankly, I liked waking up to you." Nathan admitted as he blushed.
"I have to say that I feel the same. I can't understand it, but I feel so at ease and connected with you." Elizabeth admitted shyly. "Well, most of the time." She added with a smirk. "It feels like I've known you forever, even though I haven't. Does that make sense to you?"
"It does because I feel the same about you, Elizabeth," Nathan said. "So, let's stop apologizing and work on getting to know one another within the bounds we discussed last night. Okay?"
"Okay, Nathan," Elizabeth said. "That sounds good to me. Now how do we handle getting up in the mornings?"
"I'll get up first and change in the bathroom while you change in here. I will never enter our room unless I knock first to ensure you are dressed in the morning or at night. If there is a time during the day and you need privacy, lock the door." Nathan said. "With that said, he got out of bed and grabbed his clothes for the day while Elizabeth got up and donned her robe. Elizabeth quickly found her clothes and was dressed when Nathan returned to put his pajamas away.
"Are you ready to face the day Mrs. Grant?" he teased.
"I am as ready as you are, Mr. Grant, shall we?" she teased back. With that said, he opened their bedroom door and headed down the hallway, following the voices of Gabe and Faith.
"Nathan, Elizabeth, so glad you could join us this morning," Gabe teased, then laughed as they both blushed.
"You mean as opposed to the fact that you and Faith just arrived not 5 minutes ago," Moira retorted with a laugh breaking the awkwardness. They all joined in after that before gathering around the table in the kitchen to go over the day's plans while eating from the platters of breakfast food Moira had already prepared.
"Nathan, I think you should probably head into town this morning," Gabe said. "The sky is pretty dark, and I don't think we will have as long as they predict before it gets bad. Here is the list that Faith and I came up with,"
"I think that is a good idea, Nathan," Moira said. "I agree with Gabe. That storm doesn't look like it will hold off as long as they say. Take the truck instead of the wagon because it will be quicker for you. Here is the list of what we will need to ride out the storm. Also, could you stop by the paper? Joe said the wedding pictures are ready to be picked up. See if you can also find a couple of frames for them."
"What about Allie?" Elizabeth asked; though she was excited about going to town with Nathan, she worried about Allie.
"Oh, she is still sleeping. It would be best if you went now before she gets up. It's really too cold for her to be out in it." Moira said.
So, after eating a hearty breakfast, the couples broke off and headed in opposite directions. As they started into town, Elizabeth asked him about what rounds consisted of as a Mountie.
"Well, we go around the outlying towns and check on the families. With a storm coming, someone always needs help chopping wood or bringing it closer to the house. Some elderly people may need food from the store because they can't get there. But sometimes, it is just to establish a presence to act as a deterrent for someone with criminal intent.
"Is it hazardous working as a Mountie?" Elizabeth asked.
"I won't lie, Elizabeth; sometimes it can be. Sometimes, I will be involved in things that I'm not permitted to talk to you about. But I promise you that I will always be honest and tell you whatever I can."
"Okay, Nathan, then I will respect when you tell me that you can give me certain answers to my questions. But only if you promise that you will answer what you can, no matter what the answer is or if it may upset me."
Nathan nodded as he parked the truck and turned off the engine. Elizabeth realized they were now in town and hadn't even been aware of it. Nathan got out and came around to open her door, and helped her down.
"Thank you for understanding, Elizabeth," he said, kissing her hand as he had at their wedding. Then he tucked her hand in the crook of his and held their lists in the other. "I think we should get the pictures first and head to the Mercantile."
"That sounds good to me, Nathan," Elizabeth said, aware that they were being stared at. But before long, Nathan was telling her amusing anecdotes of his time with the Mounties, and she relaxed and began telling a few of her own. The couple was completely unaware of the sweet picture they made as they went about their business in town. There were a few people that stopped them to offer congratulations to the happy couple. Even though she hadn't known very many people, the ones she did meet were very taken with the new Mrs. Grant and were delighted to see the constable happy as well. They couldn't wait for Alice and her family to return and see what a big mistake she had made. The pastor's wife had told them the names of the brides, and the Thatcher name was well known by Joe at the newspaper office. By the end of the day, the news would be all over town that one Constable, Nathan Grant, had married Miss Elizabeth Thatcher of Hamilton, the middle daughter of William Thatcher of Thatcher Shipping Company.
Joe handed them the photos in a sealed envelope. As they looked at them, he said, "I've included one for your mother, for you, for Mrs. Hendrick, and two extra. I've included the same amount for Constable and Mrs. Kinslow. There are a few other poses that turned out nice."
"Thanks, Joe. We really appreciate you taking pictures for us," Nathan said.
"They are just lovely, Joe," Elizabeth said. "You have a talent for taking them. As Nathan said thank you so much for these."
"Your very welcome, Mrs. Grant," Joe said.
"Please, though I like the sound of Mrs. Grant, call me Elizabeth,"
"Elizabeth, it is," Joe said with a huge smile.
"Elizabeth, we should go because we need to get back before the snow starts," Nathan said, noticing that the wind had picked up a bit. "Joe, has there been any news on the storm?"
"Not since yesterday. Though I'm sure, you already figured out that they anticipate it will start sooner. They are still predicting heavy snowfall."
"I had a feeling," Nathan said. "Come on, Elizabeth," After saying goodbye, they quickly headed over to the mercantile and shortly after were heading back to the ranch. The snow started falling by the time they arrived back home. Nathan stowed the truck in the shed they had explicitly built for it, and they gathered the packages as the wind and snow picked up.
Gabe was already there with Faith, and after a quick snack and cup of coffee, they went out to chop some wood and stack it near the cabin and the house while they spoke of rounds and news in town. They were a safe distance from the house, so the subject of their wives came up.
"So, how did rounds go with Faith?" Nathan asked.
"They went good, and of course, everyone loves her already," Gabe said with a smile.
"How are the Larson's today?" Nathan asked.
"She suspects they have a cold, but their lungs are clear. She made up a quick cough syrup from some things she had in her bag to help them. I have to say that having a nurse for a wife will be good for doing my job," Gabe mused.
"How are things with you and Elizabeth?"
Nathan blushed, and Gabe stopped chopping and asked, "Why are you blushing, Nathan? I know you shared a room, but It's not like you kissed her."
Nathan's blush darkened as he reached for another log while Gabe stared incredulously at him.
"You have?" Gabe said.
"It was an accident," Nathan said as he brought the axe down, splitting the wood.
"OK, HOW DO YOU KISS ON ACCIDENT?" Gabe said, raising his voice in exasperation. "Only you, Nathan, could manage to kiss a woman on accident."
"Actually, it was her that did it," Nathan said, trying not to laugh at his friend's reaction.
"Well, of course, she…. Wait, What?" Gabe said. "You are telling me that Elizabeth kissed you accidentally? How does something like that happen?" Gabe crossed his arms, and Nathan gave up trying to chop more wood. Gabe wasn't about to let him alone until he told him.
"She was trying to kiss me on the cheek, and I happened to turn my head…." Nathan said.
"I see," Then Gabe smiled and slyly added, "Well, I see that you are glad that she did. Does she know that?"
"No, actually, we moved apart out of respect for each other. She was only trying to comfort me, and as I said, it was an accident." Nathan said, becoming annoyed, and went back to splitting logs.
But Gabe would not be deterred and smirked. "Are you trying to convince ME it was an accident or yourself, Nathan?" Nathan paused in a mid-stroke of splitting another log and looked like a deer caught in headlights as Gabe asked the question.
Nathan thought about what had happened the previous night and how wonderful it was waking up with her in his arms.
"What were you talking about before it happened?" Gabe asked.
"Alice!" Nathan said, reaching for another log as if they were discussing the weather.
"Alice?" Gabe gasped.
"You and Ma told me that I should be honest and tell her about my history with Alice, so I did," Nathan said flatly, then he smiled as he added. "Now I realized I sure dodged a bullet there. I'll have to thank her next time I see her,"
Gabe whistled and said, "That must have been some accidental kiss, Nathan,"
"Gabe, it's too soon. We just met and married yesterday."
"I know. I was there, remember? Nathan, we have the same anniversary. Same Story. Only you two can decide what is too soon. Please don't decide for her, that is all I'm saying. Ironically, you are now married to a woman who is from a very affluent family. From what Faith has said, her family is considered Hamilton royalty. Alice could only dream of being associated with someone with those connections. Yet Elizabeth is so down to earth and sees everyone as her equal, unlike Alice and her family. To make it even sweeter, she adores Allie, and Allie feels the same." Gabe said. "Looks like God answered all the prayers that were said on your behalf, my friend."
"Elizabeth actually brought up our adopting Allie before we leave here," Nathan added with a smile.
"I guess the Lord took it as a personal challenge to find just the right person," Gabe said. "I can't wait until Alice returns and meets Elizabeth. Of course, you are speaking to a man married to a woman named Faith, who happens to be very close with your bride."
The two men laughed over that. "You know God's messenger is Gabriel," Gabe said. "As your new spiritual advisor, quit accidentally kissing your wife and be honest with your feelings."
"Listen, messenger boy. You are not THAT Gabriel, so don't plan on bossing me around even more than you already do." Nathan teased.
"Now, what about you and Faith? Because, as you pointed out, I'm not the only one with a new wife." Gabe smiled, but before he could answer, Moira called for them to come in for lunch.
As they headed towards the house, Gabe said, "We are doing about the same as you and Elizabeth." He paused at the door and added with a smirk, "only on purpose," Then he winked and opened the door leaving Nathan with no opportunity to comment.