"Hello?"

"Hi, sweetheart."

"Nathan, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"I didn't expect to hear from you until you got home."

"I wanted to check on Allie. I can't always call when I'm on an assignment, but I like to when I can."

"Of course. I'm glad you could call. But I'm afraid you won't like the news I have to share."

"That kid broke her heart, didn't he?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

I let out a long breath. I knew this day would come. Allie was growing up. A broken heart was inevitable at some point, just as I knew the scavenger hunt parties would come to an end. I just wasn't prepared for it all to happen at once. What could I do to help her through it? I usually brought a gift home for her when I was away on assignments. But it seemed like the days of candy and teddy bears had passed by too. There wasn't a gift that I could think of to console a broken heart, and I ought to know, because nothing had been able to console mine.

"Is she crushed?"

"She is."

"She talked to you about it then?"

"Yes, we talked for a while this evening. She's hurt and very confused right now."

"Confused? How so?"

"She didn't understand why he'd come to her party and dance with her if he didn't like her in return."

I scoffed.

"You mean when he showed up at the last minute with an afterthought "bouquet" of flowers he pulled from the ground behind the saloon?"

"It's her first real crush, Nathan. I know she liked Robert in the past, but he'd never shown any interest besides friendship. Any attention Wyatt would give to her would feel exciting and bigger than what it really was. So yes, she's confused."

"I hate this."

"I know. But we all go through it at some point."

I let out a sigh.

"We do," I agreed. "But I still hate it."

"I do, too."

This was new territory for me. I didn't know how to navigate it, and what's more, I didn't want to. But having Elizabeth by my side to help made this new phase of Allie's maturing seem far less daunting.

"Thank you for being there for her."

"You're welcome," she said pausing slightly before she continued. "There's something else I need to tell you, Nathan."

"Okay?"

"My relationship with her is changing. I've always felt close to Allie, but it feels different now that we're together. It doesn't feel right to hear her call me "Mrs. Thornton" as we discuss her broken heart, when we're…"

"More than a student and her teacher?" I said, filling in the blanks.

"Yes. So much more, Nathan," she said softly. "So, I've given Allie permission to call me Elizabeth when we're at home or whenever we're together, away from school."

A warm smile spread across my face. Our families were finally blending.

"I'm very happy to hear that."

"Me too. She's already said it a few times this evening. It rang like music in my ears every time."

"That's wonderful."

There was a brief moment of quiet, no doubt as we both reflected on what these changes meant for our future, before she broke the silence.

"Will you be home soon?"

"Yes, I'll be home tomorrow afternoon."

"Good."

"I'm safe, sweetheart."

"I know."

"What's wrong then?"

"I'm just…lonesome for you."

"Oh," I said.

I was fully secure in Elizabeth's love for me. But pining away for me? This was new.

Or was it?

"Missing your firewood chopper, Mrs. Thornton?"

I was fishing for more, no question about it, but I asked with a touch of wry amusement, giving her leave to answer me in the same tone. So, I wasn't prepared for the intensity of her sultry response when she said, "My lips miss yours, Constable."

"I see. How much?" I dared to ask.

"Enough that my lips tingle when I think of you…and I think of you often."

"Are they...tingling now?"

"They are."

"Mmm. I like that."

"I thought you might."

"Maybe you'd like to know what I'm missing?"

"I would," she said.

"I miss the little sounds of contentment you make when I kiss you."

"They're quite involuntary. My senses take over and I can't help expressing myself."

"I'm glad. I enjoy it very much," I said, lowering my voice.

Catching me off guard, she giggled all of a sudden.

"Something funny about that?"

"I was just picturing you looking devilishly handsome in that tuxedo, standing in whatever hotel lobby you're staying in, having this conversation with me as people pass by."

"Oh," I said with a laugh. "There's a telephone in my room. It's just you and me. No passersby."

"That must be a ritzy hotel."

"It is."

"So, um…are you…still in your tux?"

"No, I took it off as soon as I could. It's terribly uncomfortable."

"I see." Her voice trailed off, sounding disappointed.

"I get to keep it," I offered.

"I'm glad. I've been jealous of any woman who got to see you in it tonight."

"Really?"

"Yes," she said definitively.

"I'll make sure to create an occasion to wear it for you."

"Mmm. I'll look forward to that, Constable."

Elizabeth being so free with her attraction to me was a new side to our relationship, and I had to admit…I was reveling in it.

"You kind of like me, huh?" I asked, flirting with her.

"Very much." She paused for a second and said, "Are you done with your assignment for the night?"

"I am. I'm in bed now."

"Are you…comfortable?"

"Yes, it's a feather bed. Very soft and comfortable."

"I see," she said.

But there seemed to be more to her question.

"Elizabeth?"

"I just…" she trailed off again.

"You just what?"

"I just wondered…what you might be wearing to bed," she finished.

"Oh," I said, not being able to hide the surprise in my voice.

"I'm sorry. Are you shocked or just appalled? I shouldn't have asked."

"Slightly surprised…but I'm not appalled. In fact, I like your question. I thought I was the only one who wondered about such things."

"You're not."

"Then, I'll answer you. I'm the father of a young lady and a Mountie who needs to be able to respond at a moment's notice. So I have a pair of blue, plaid pajama pants…nearby."

"So, you sleep…"

"In the suit I was born in."

"Oh, my."

"You asked."

"I did."

"So, um…what about you?"

"Oh," she giggled nervously.

"Turnabout is fair play, Lizbeth."

"So it is, Constable. Well, um, I am the mother of a young boy, and I don't have a lock on my bedroom door, so I wear a pink, satin nightgown."

"I like the way you look in pink."

"I like the way you make me feel when you look at me."

"How's that?"

"Adored, cherished, and loved. You make me feel like I'm the most beautiful woman you've ever seen."

"You are. Inside and out. I see no one but you."

"And…as long as we're being honest…"

"Yes?"

"You make me feel desirable."

"Then I'm accurately conveying everything I feel, because I have a burning desire for you."

"Do you know what I sit and think about sometimes?"

"Tell me."

"Our first date. Riding together on horseback. It was so romantic, Nathan. Nothing fancy. Just sneaking away together. You've never held me so close before. I loved every minute of it."

"I think about that, too."

"Which part?"

"Your hand on my thigh as you leaned back against my chest."

"Oh."

"You don't like that answer?"

"No, I do. I just thought it might be…something else."

"What's that?"

"Well, I thought it might be the way your arm brushed against my breasts as you held the reins."

Suddenly I felt alarmed. Did she think I'd been inappropriate? I hadn't meant to be.

"Sweetheart, I had no ulterior motive in suggesting we ride one horse together. I just wanted to be close to you. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."

"When did you hear me say I was uncomfortable?"

"So you weren't?"

"Far from it. It made me feel breathless. You're so respectful of me, Nathan. But I love you…and I long to be in your arms. To feel your touch. I crave your affection when you're not here with me. I've spent so many nights alone as a single mother. I only had ten nights with Jack. They were wonderful. So wonderful that I'd never let myself think about them. It was just another reminder of the future we lost. It hurt too much to even consider…until I allowed myself to love you, Nathan. Now thoughts of you holding me in your arms every night consume me. I hope it's not inappropriate to say so, but I'm looking forward to having an intimate life again. An intimate life that I could only envision with you."

"I feel the same way. I've never been married before, but I've loved you for as long as I can remember. The nights have been cold and lonely for me, too."

I paused, thinking of the poker I played earlier tonight, deciding to reveal my whole "hand" to her.

"Elizabeth, I didn't just call to check on Allie. I was laying here thinking about the freckle above your right collarbone. I was thinking about how your eyes sparkle with excitement when I pull you close. About the way you shiver when I kiss your neck. I didn't want to go to bed without hearing your voice. I never imagined our conversation would lead to such intimate talk...but I'm glad it did."

"Me too. Somehow, I knew it would always be this way between us, Nathan."

"This way?"

"The ease we have as friends. We have it as lovers, too. I was nervous to be so overt, but I knew it would be okay because you make me feel so safe and loved. Never judged. I wanted to be honest and tell you what's in my heart. I need you to know how much I want you. I love you so much, Nathan."

"I love you, Elizabeth, and I want you too. Very much."

"Nathan?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering...do you have a favorite side of the bed?"

"No, I've always slept right in the middle. Do you?"

"No, I don't either. It felt too lonely to pick a side. I sleep in the middle, too."

I paused for a moment, trying to decide if I should say what came into my mind. But she'd been honest with the extent of her desire, so I would follow her lead.

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes?"

"I don't want my own side of the bed. I want to hold you close to me. I want all that lies between us to be the night…and your pink, satin nightgown."

"Nathan?"

"Yes?"

"I've worn that nightgown for a long time. It's old."

"I'll buy you a new one then."

"I'll tell you what I'd like better."

"What's that?"

"A lock for our door and a hook for my nightgown. I plan on hanging it up for good…along with your pajama pants."