It was Nathan's first day back at work since his injury. He was a little sore putting on his serge that morning but he knew he needed to get back to work. He had been slowly working on paper work in the office but since he was cleared to ride he was able to get back to rounds. Gabe was also anxious to get back to Brookfield and the people there.

Gabe told Nathan that he was going to get an early start that morning so when Nathan arrived at the Mountie office, Gabe was already there with his horse packing the saddle bags. He had gone to the cafe to get a sandwich and some snacks for the ride. Gabe hoped to be home before it got too late.

"Well look who decided to work today," Gabe joked.

"It was a long day yesterday but I am ready to go," Nathan said.

"Everything ok with you and Allie?" Gabe asked.

"Yes, everything is great. I asked Elizabeth to marry me yesterday."

Gabe saw Nathan's smile so he knew things had gone well. "Congrats Nathan. That's great for all of you. I'm glad you finally asked her."

"Thank you. I'll let you know when we plan the wedding. I am hoping you'll be my best man."

"I'd be honored, and I'd love to be here. I should get going though. I might be able to make it to Brookfield before sunset. There's coffee in the office if you want some before getting started today."

The two men hugged in the street. Elizabeth could see the two of them in serge outside the office as she walked from her house. Gabe told Nathan to say goodbye to Elizabeth and the children and he rode off out of town. A few minutes later Elizabeth walked up.

"Gabe left already?" She asked.

"Yes, he wanted to get home before it got dark. How is my beautiful fiancée this morning?" Nathan asked holding out his hand to her.

Elizabeth smiled. His fiancée. She couldn't imagine anything better. Other than maybe being his wife. Hopefully one day very soon.

"I woke up having a wonderful dream about a handsome man that I'm going to marry."

Nathan lifted her hand that he held and kissed it. "Would you like some coffee? Gabe made it so I am not sure how good it is."

Elizabeth giggled, "sure. I was hoping we could have a few minutes together before I need to get to school."

The two of them sat on the steps to the Mountie office and drank their coffee. After a short time, Elizabeth needed to get to school to get the lessons ready before the children arrived. She handed her cup to him as the two of them stood. Nathan walked into the office to put the cups down as Elizabeth walked behind him.

"Be careful today, ok?" Elizabeth said. She stood in front of him and put her hands on his chest. She looked down at the serge in front of her, knowing that his job could be dangerous.

Nathan lifted her chin with his fingers. "I have every reason to be careful. Especially now that we have a future to plan." Elizabeth leaned in and gave him a quick kiss, quicker than both of them wanted but they could hear all the people outside. Elizabeth walked out the door and smiled as she turned towards the school house.

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Elizabeth sat at her desk grading papers while the children played outside during lunch. She had her half eaten sandwich sitting on the desk next to her. She wanted to get the grading done so she could give them back to the students today. After the day she had yesterday, she wasn't able to focus on the grading. Not that she was sad about that all. It was the most special day of her life knowing that Nathan wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. As she moved to the next paper, she heard the door open noisily.

"Elizabeth Thornton!"

Elizabeth walked in and saw Rosemary walking towards her. She sounded upset but she had a large smile on her face.

"Everything ok Rosemary?"

"I was going to stop by here on my way home just to say hi but I saw Allie outside. I heard her telling her friends that you and Nathan got engaged yesterday. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It happened yesterday afternoon and after we went home to have dinner and tell the children. I was going to tell you today, I promise."

Rosemary looked at her and immediately believed her. "That's ok. I am just so happy for you. Let me see the ring!"

Elizabeth stood up from her desk and walked around to where Rosemary was standing. She held out her hand in front of her and Rosemary squealed. Elizabeth was worried the entire town would hear her. She laughed as Rosemary hugged her.

"When are you getting married? Where do you want to have the ceremony? Have you thought about your dress?"

"Whoa, slow down. I just got engaged yesterday Rosemary. We haven't talked about all of that yet."

Rosemary turned as she heard children walking back into the school house. "We will talk later, can you come by for tea after school?"

"Yes, I need to stop by the mercantile but I can come after that."

"And maybe to stop at a certain Mountie's office?" Rosemary winked.

Elizabeth had been thinking about checking how Nathan's first day was going on her way home. She blushed that Rosemary knew her so well. Rosemary nodded, telling Elizabeth that they would talk later.

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Nathan sat at his desk working on some of the paperwork that had piled up while he had been gone. He tried to stretch his side as he sat there in just his Henley and suspenders. He had taken off the serge while he was in the office because it was starting to get warm outside.

Elizabeth walked into the doorway, saying "Hi."

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how your day was going."

"I'm ok, just a little sore," Nathan said. "I had done part of my rounds and I was taking the afternoon to do some paperwork. I have a few more areas that I need to go to before heading home for dinner."

"Would you and Allie like to come over for dinner tonight?

"Allie asked to spend the night at Angela's but I could come if you are ok with just me."

"I am always ok with just you," Elizabeth said with a wink.

Nathan laughed. "I should probably go finish my rounds so I can come over before it's too late."

Elizabeth saw Nathan wince as he pulled his serge off the back of his chair. Elizabeth shut the door of the Mountie office and walked over to Nathan. His eyebrows raised as Elizabeth said, "Here let me help you." She reached out her hand to Nathan and he handed the serge to her. Elizabeth held out the one sleeve putting it on his injured side first and then onto his other arm. She pulled the serge up over his shoulders, smoothing it down over his arms.

Nathan watched every move that she made with a deep love. He could feel her care for him in every small move she made and in her willingness to help him with even the smallest thing. Elizabeth pulled both sides of the serge together. She looked up into Nathan's eyes and smiled. Then Nathan could see a hint of mischief in her eyes and she pulled Nathan to her by the lapels of his serge. She reached up to his him as his arms went around her and her hands went onto his chest. The feel of her touching him through his thin Henley brought the kiss up to another level. Elizabeth pulled back with her eyes looking more beautiful to him than ever.

Elizabeth tried to catch her breath and started to button his serge. She started from the bottom and when she got to the last button, she kissed him again. Nathan took a deep breath as her fingers brushed on his skin as she buttoned the last one. Elizabeth smoothed her hands over his chest and arms to make sure the serge was in place.

"Thank you Elizabeth. I love you."

"I love you too. Please be safe, ok?"

"Always."