Thoughts swirled around Elizabeth's mind as she hung her laundry out to dry. Lately, her life perpetually felt right on the cusp of something new and beautiful that was never quite beginning.

She had run into Nathan in the stables this morning. She and Bill were planning to meet to start Jack's riding lessons so she wasn't expecting to see him. But she loved moments like that. Moments when life brought them together. Lately, every chance run in had her hoping he'd ask her to join him for lunch again…or maybe for life.

It seemed as soon as she was able to finally share her heart with him, life had been keeping them apart. The unexpected arrival of Mr Higgins had continued to bring their hearts closer but at the same time, seemed to put a pause on their romance. Elizabeth knew Nathan was only being considerate of her but she longed for the beauty of their simple moments alone at the dock before that dark cloud had overshadowed their days.

Then before they could begin again, Tom's surprise arrival again put their newly proclaimed love on the shelf again. It was a wonderful visit with Uncle Tommy and a strained one all at once. Helping him overcome his own difficulties while also gaining the approval of the Thornton family on her relationship with Nathan. Oh it wasn't needed but it was so special to Elizabeth, and Nathan. That led to the festival and the incredible dance they'd shared.

Now, she was so ready. Ready to be back in his arms and ready to be at his side.

She blushed even though no one was around. These thoughts weren't helping but what was a lady to do? She couldn't very well ask him out…or propose…or could she? Elizabeth, stop it. She tried to bring her mind back to her task only to realize she'd mindlessly pinned one of her damp shirts by only one sleeve and another had already slipped loose of its clothes pins entirely and fallen to the ground. She'd better fix this quickly before Rosemary saw.

"Elizabeth!" Rosemary's sing-songy voice rang out across their yards. Elizabeth turned and tried to smile normally, clothes pins still in hand, her task not nearly as neat or complete as it should have been. "Elizabeth, I'm glad I caught you out here. We need to talk!" Rosemary set her own laundry basket down and walked a few steps to meet her friend.

"Hi Rosemary, It's a beautiful day isn't it?" Elizabeth somewhat sheepishly replied, afraid her lack of focus would soon be noticed by her ever-observant neighbor.

"Elizabeth! What happened to your laundry?! It looks like Little Jack has been playing hide and go seek in it!"

Elizabeth laughed, Of course she noticed. "Uh…it was me. I was just…distracted I guess." Elizabeth replied shyly, clearing her throat after getting the words out.

"Distracted? Well whatever could distra….it's Nathan isn't it? Oh I saw you two dancing the other night." Rosemary swayed side to side, remembering the evening. "Like there was no one else in the room. Except we were!" She laughed and Elizabeth grinned remembering once more how incomparable their first dance had been.

Then her smile fell. "Oh…that's not good." Rosemary noticed. "The way you two danced the other night, what is holding you back?" She asked, just slightly annoyed.

"No! Rosemary, I'm not! Nothing is holding me back. Nothing except…"

"Out with it!" Rosemary replied, like only she could.

Elizabeth took a moment to gather her thoughts. "With so much going on lately, Nathan and I haven't had much time together. We see each other often, we seem to talk so easily now, but we never get a chance to really spend time together. Just a moment here and there, usually with half the town around. Oh Rosemary, nothing is holding me back anymore. I just don't know how to make it move forward! I can't exactly ask him on a date. Can you imagine?" What was it about her friendship with Rosemary that just made her words run so freely? She looked up into the kind eyes of her dear Rosie and smiled. It felt good to have the words out there.

"Well, why not? It's 1921! Sometimes you have to make something happen!" Rosemary answered exuberantly. "You know Nathan's heart. I think we can all see Nathan's heart. And you know how busy it's been lately with Tom's visit and the choir and the festival. So why shouldn't you be the one to make plans with him?"

Elizabeth thought about it. She was confident Nathan felt the same for her as she did for him. She was sure he'd enjoy time together too. She thought back to their evening at the dock. Granted, it was mostly her that had talked that day but he had poured his heart out so many times in the past, it was only fair she took the risk this time. Maybe she could take the lead with this too.

"Maybe you're right." She smiled and turned back to her laundry.

"What are you doing? Go find him!" Rosemary teased.

Elizabeth blushed and turned back toward Rosemary who gave her a quick squeeze and a wide smile. She smoothed her skirt and made sure her hair was in place, and headed toward town.

On the way there, she thought about exactly what she'd say when she found Nathan. If she was going to ask him on a date, she needed a plan. Her thoughts drifted back to last year, and a sweet conversation over a cup of apple juice. Maybe it didn't have to be just them. She could invite Allie along. Maybe a family dinner at her home. She caught herself. Family. Oh my. Her heart had gotten ahead of her again. But it felt so right. An evening together would be the perfect invitation and maybe a little more appropriate for a lady to ask rather than an official date. She quickened her pace as she got closer to town.

Nathan slowly walked the boardwalk along the main street. His eyes scanned the area, checking for anything out of sorts. Always aware and always on guard. But still his mind drifted to Elizabeth. These past few weeks had been more than he ever dreamed. To sit under the stars with her head on his shoulder, to hold her close as they danced. A smile snuck across his face. It was finally happening. Now if only they could find a spare moment to really be together. There was more he wanted to tell her and more he needed to hear. But it seemed life in their little town had gotten so busy lately. Any plans he tried to make with her fell through and any moments they got together were generally under the watchful eyes of far too many people. Nathan loved every moment they had together but he hoped for a little private time soon.

"Nathan!" He heard his name being called by his favorite voice and turned to see Elizabeth approaching quickly with a beautiful smile on her face. It was like the world stopped and everyone disappeared. Just like when they danced.

"Elizabeth, I was just thinking about you." He kind of surprised himself with that one but it was true. He led the way to a nearby bench and they sat.

"I was thinking of you too actually." Elizabeth said sweetly. She took a breath and continued, "I was thinking that you and Allie should join Jack and I for dinner tonight."

Nathan was thrilled. A family dinner together. Family. How nice did that sound? "That'd be great." He replied trying to not let his words betray the way his heart was pounding and his mind racing at the thought of them being a family.

"Great." Elizabeth replied thrilled to have this evening to look forward to. The start of something new. "Well I have to get a few things at the mercantile. Allie can come over whenever she'd like and you can join us when you're off duty." She smiled, imagining their future together, of Nathan coming home from work to her.

Heading home to Elizabeth sounded so good to Nathan. "See you then," he managed.

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It had been a wonderful evening. Allie helped Elizabeth make supper as Little Jack told them stories from daycare. Nathan had arrived while their meal was cooking.

Together. Right where they all wanted to be. They laughed and talked easily. Nathan complimented the cooks and played with Jack after the meal was over. And now the house was quiet. Allie had taken Jack up to bed and read him a story and it appeared she had fallen asleep next to him.

Elizabeth snuck back down the stairs. Nathan was sitting on her front step, the door wide open. The scent of banana bread they had all baked together this evening wafted through the house and out the door. Life felt like a dream. Elizabeth stepped outside and joined her love under the stars.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment. Nathan spoke first thanking Elizabeth for the invitation. "This was just what I needed. There's been so much going on lately. But here with you and the kids, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared for a while."

Elizabeth knew the feeling. She felt it every time she looked in his eyes. A soft smile played on her lips. She looked down at his lips then back up to his blue eyes but they were looking down at her lips. They moved closer until their noses nearly touched and then closer still. Finally their lips met in a kiss forged in the fires of true love. It was soft and sweet, it was passionate and exciting. It was everything and it was theirs.

There were more words to be spoken. More things to say and hear. But for the moment, this was enough. Their hearts had shared the truth they both knew all evening. There would be more evenings like this. More times to talk but for now they sat, side by side, her head on his shoulder, his arm around her waist under the stars.

"I love you."

"I love you too," he replied softly.