It seems like sorrow and hardship stretch the heart to eventually make more room for compensatory love and joy. By the title, you might be concerned, excited, or a little bit of both for what might be happening between our favorite couple. In my world, these two are solidly planted in the 1920s in Hope Valley.
Yet, Elizabeth and Nathan aren't an ordinary couple trying to balance personal values, religious beliefs, and societal rules. They're in their thirties, each with a child. They're deeply grounded as friends, all the while navigating a flame that began as a spark six long years ago. After Nathan vulnerably shared in the last chapter what he'd been trying to manage on his own, he understandably needed a stronger sense of support.
This chapter dives into a conversation between two people who love each other, who both know they are bound for marriage, and who are trying to figure out how to express all they feel toward each other. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea (or coffee, as the case may be), read for a few minutes, and then scroll to find more adventure later on. If you're all in, go ahead and jump in with both feet!
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Chapter 12: A Growing Intimacy
Though a slight wind was rustling through the golden leaves not yet fallen that autumn day, the increased chill in the air didn't draw Nathan or Elizabeth away to find their additional layers, considering the warmth they had in each other. Elizabeth was still nestled contentedly on Nathan's lap, their bodies close and cozy. Even her hands were no longer in need of her gloves, one enveloped in Nathan's larger hand and the other resting gently on the back of his neck, where her fingers were warmed by the heat of his skin.
Nathan's mention of a doctor in Nelson had started the wheels in Elizabeth's head spinning. She knew the sound of a "therapy date" wasn't all that enticing, in truth, so she immediately thought of a way to brighten the trip to Nelson—one that was meant to help Nathan work through the trauma he was still grappling with after watching Elizabeth disappear at gunpoint, beyond his reach.
"Nelson is what, three hours by train? I've never been there, but I hear Kootenay Lake is beautiful. I'm sure an afternoon boat ride would be the perfect complement to a therapy session. Don't you think so?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with hope and anticipation.
Nathan certainly couldn't argue over spending more time with Elizabeth. Just as he was about to respond, Elizabeth's face lit up and she interjected, "I have an even better idea, Nathan. Let's not rush back."
To Nathan's inquisitive brow, she explained, "Why not turn this into a little getaway? I know Bill will cover for you, and Rosemary and Lee can look after the children. If Minnie fills in for me on Friday, then we could have all Saturday to explore before taking the evening train back home."
It didn't take long before Nathan's facial expression was leaning toward a "Sounds great," so Elizabeth quickly settled the details. "I'll make the arrangements," she promised, not wanting to overburden Nathan. "Every last one—two train tickets, two hotel rooms, and one relaxing escape."
Although Elizabeth eventually found out she and Lucas became the idle talk of the town after their overnight stay in Union City, if that were to happen in this case, she thought, let them talk. This was for Nathan's health. How helpful was it really to spend six hours on a train for a single hour of therapy and nerve treatments? The work-to-reward ratio didn't add up. And she was a teacher, so she knew math. But throw in a boat ride, a date night, and a day spent meandering through vibrant shops and cozy cafés—and suddenly, the weekend promised an exponential possibility of real recovery, for the body and the soul.
While Nathan's thoughts jumped ahead to the prospect of their future escape, the idea of an overnight stay reminded him of a conversation from their recent past. Thanks to Bill, Nathan and Elizabeth had taken a quiet walk around the lake earlier in the week, where their light-hearted chit-chat had gradually veered into a new area of subtext—one that hinted at unspoken intimacy and uncharted territory.
During that stroll, when Elizabeth raised the possibility of a family trip to the cabin, they ironically narrowed in on sleeping arrangements. Elizabeth admitted to wanting Nathan inside the cabin, along with the children; and then Nathan more boldly suggested wanting her outside in the tent, with the implication of it being just the two of them.
It didn't matter to Nathan. Wherever Elizabeth was, he wanted to be. And that brought him to this time of confession. He'd known the opportunity would come up again to share the thoughts he didn't get a chance to that afternoon at the lake. And here they were, with no interruptions or distractions in sight.
As the most personal words he'd ever uttered loomed on the horizon, his heart immediately picked up pace, and he wondered if Elizabeth could feel the shift in not only its rhythm, but its intensity, with her shoulder resting so gently against his chest.
"'Lizabeth," Nathan said quietly, his voice barely audible to even him, considering the nervous "whoosh" of his heartbeat filling his ears. "The other night, around the lake, I'd wanted to tell you something, but my timing wasn't great."
Suddenly, Nathan's mind felt muddled, as if trying to tune through static to find the right radio frequency. Beyond that, his mouth went dry, like speaking through a mouthful of sand, each word coming out thick and strained.
He pressed on, though, hoping his heart would do the talking. "After all this work I've done opening up," he began, quickly sifting through words as his tongue slipped out, resting nervously between his lips while he gathered his thoughts. "How do I say this?" he softly mumbled to himself, trying to keep his words as respectful and appropriate as possible.
"You can say anything to me, Nathan," Elizabeth said, near enough to hear his last few words muttered under his breath. "You know that," she assured him.
It only took one glance at Elizabeth for him to believe her, one hundred percent. After he'd shared his unfiltered frustrations and his messy flashbacks, she was still here, and not just "here," but here, intimately close. She'd even stretched beyond her own comfort just now to belay him while he climbed. He could trust her, and the realization filled his heart with a love he'd never even known to hope for.
"No, I know," Nathan answered confidently, though that still didn't make this easy.
Nathan inwardly groaned. Why was this so difficult? Really, he wanted to just tell Elizabeth outright, holding nothing back. In theory, he knew what he'd been feeling driven to say would be well received, but something in him still battled against it. He imagined Elizabeth had sensed his longing in their kisses, and he'd certainly felt the intensity of her passion as well.
It wasn't that she'd be surprised by what he felt, but that he was putting it into words—especially given that this was only their third official date. That's why his word choice felt so important now. But then again, as he'd often reminded Elizabeth, they weren't exactly following a typical timeline or courtship.
It was a high bar, perhaps an impossible one to reach—finding a way for his words to convey the depth of his love for this woman he cherished, without crossing into something too forward or improper. Nathan longed to share the intimacy he envisioned for their future, but feared that even the most tender expression might fall short, leaving his heart too exposed.
Just in time, before the silence turned awkward as Elizabeth continued to look at him expectantly, an idea crept into his mind. He hoped that connecting his words to a moment they'd shared would make what he was saying feel more heartfelt and relatable.
"Do you remember the frosting from our last date?" he asked, realizing this was quite a random jump. Yet, Elizabeth's immediate reaction reassured him that this approach was the right one.
"Oh yes," she giggled, her blue eyes dancing. "I'm not sure I'll ever hear the word 'frosting' again without thinking of that night."
Naturally affected by Elizabeth's supportive words, he grinned. "I think that will be true for me, too," he admitted. "The funny part is, I only ever imagined that frosting cupcakes might get fun and flirty, not…" Nathan paused, struggling for the right word.
After a few second-lull, Elizabeth looked up at him from under her long lashes, and suggested in a whisper, "Steamy?"
Nathan chuckled softly, remembering how quickly their kisses had escalated. "I'm not surprised at all that you came up with such a perfect word, 'Lizbeth." He was surprised, however, that she actually said it. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all, he thought.
With the suggestive word still lingering in the air, their gazes locked, sparking a silent contest, one measured only by the number of times their own eyes flicked between the other's eyes and lips. But after only a few back-and-forth jumps on Nathan's part, he decidedly fixed his eyes on Elizabeth's, recommitting to his original purpose. Encouraged by her support—both spoken and unspoken—his words began to flow more easily.
"There was something so…familiar about what was happening between us in the kitchen…"
He paused, deeply aware of how presumptuous this confession would sound.
Ever aware of Elizabeth's sapphire eyes, now currently watching him with quiet intrigue, Nathan mustered the courage to continue. "Well, when I lifted you up on the counter," he said with a sly, lopsided grin, "it seemed just as likely that I could've carried you up the stairs, to what felt like our room, and…" He paused, his heart thundering in his chest, certain it could be felt by Elizabeth, if not seen. "And….shut the door," he finished.
There, he thought. He'd said it. Where, in the past, Nathan had felt limited by words to express his deepest feelings for Elizabeth, he'd reached another barrier now physically in what they could appropriately share. So, although words were often all too inadequate where Elizabeth was concerned, he relied on them now as his only source to convey emotion he couldn't otherwise share.
By the smile stretching across Elizabeth's face he knew his message was clear. But, what he didn't expect was her verbal response, "Nathan," she said, though there was no need to speak his name. He was at full attention, noticing how Elizabeth's chest first lifted and fell with a breath, slow and measured. "I had the exact same thought!"
"No…" he replied almost instinctively, his voice quiet with disbelief. Nathan gave her a questioning look, tilting his head slightly and raising an eyebrow, as though trying to decipher whether she'd misunderstood.
With her slow nod and the evident blush rising in her cheeks, Nathan began to think their thoughts might at least be similar.
"Really?" he questioned. "The exact same thought?"
"Really."
With a hint of doubt still etched across Nathan's brow, Elizabeth let out a small giggle before tucking in her lips. Yet, somehow, ever emboldened by Nathan Grant, she managed to ask, "Would you like me to elaborate?"
Nathan paused, looking first thoughtful and then mischievous. "Maybe a little?" he suggested.
Stepping beyond her nervous giggles, Elizabeth spoke with a poise and passion that came from deep within her. "Well, let's just say, Constable, that what I briefly imagined started with your buttons, much like it did that same night after the frosting."
Nathan loved where this was going. He definitely remembered that intimate moment when Elizabeth had undone two more of his shirt buttons and explored his chest with her delicate hands.
While his mind was wrapped up in that tantalizing memory, he heard Elizabeth continue, "And in my version, at least, you repeated the same words as you did when we danced."
Nathan's head tilted in thought, playing back the memory in his mind to discover which words she meant.
At his clear confusion, Elizabeth added a hint paired with a knowing look, "The phrase I said to you when you sent Little Jack off with money to buy a candy apple."
As the memory of his words filled his mind, Nathan smiled at Elizabeth, realizing he actually liked her version of what might've happened behind that closed door even better than his own. In a low register, just to be sure, he asked, "You mean, 'I didn't say yes?'"
That's the one," Elizabeth said, her lips pressing together as if savoring the shift in tone, fully aware of the suggestive path they were treading.
"And then you said?" Nathan asked. Intuitively he knew the answer, but wanted to hear the words from Elizabeth's mouth, still dumbfounded at how aligned they were.
A smile slipped through Elizabeth's lips, and her eyes burned brighter as she replied, "Yeah, but you were gonna."
He met her gaze, feeling the heat of her words spark something inside him. "You're right, 'Lizbeth. I didn't believe you at first." Then, whispering in her ear, he said, "But, I think we did have the exact same thought, though my version had fewer words."
After a quick intake of breath at Nathan's admission, Elizabeth turned her head toward Nathan. The deep exhale that followed tickled Nathan's neck. The sensation within this context of conversation sent shivers down his spine.
Without thinking, Elizabeth asked, looking concerned, "Are you cold?"
Nathan cleared his throat. "No", he smiled, with a spark of passion in his eyes. "Quite the opposite." He nuzzled his head against her neck until his lips found her skin.
"Ah, I see," she responded, a little giggle escaping, as he brushed a kiss onto her neck and then just below her collar.
"I guess what I want you to know, my love," he explained between kisses, his heart pounding all the while, "is that I'm finding it harder to hold my ground."
He had the words to elaborate. At this point, they were almost rolling off his tongue. But in this moment, with Elizabeth on his lap, and the range of adventures and emotions they'd just experienced under his belt, he knew speaking aloud any of those words now would only torment him more.
"I know that passion's expected with love," he added, openly sharing his heart. "This just feels so much worse than I'd imagined…"
Elizabeth abruptly gave him a little pout.
"Or better," he quickly corrected himself, looking into her blue eyes with longing, "depending on if you like to feel tortured."
Without missing a beat, Elizabeth's pursed lips and furrowed brow melted into a wide grin. She laughed heartily, the sound bubbling up from deep within her, and, with a playful slap to Nathan's chest, she shook her head in mock disbelief.
"Do you feel tortured by me, Constable?" she asked innocently.
"I do, 'Lizbeth," Nathan confessed, followed by a sound that could only be described as half laughter, half exasperation. "Every single second I'm with you," he added, leaning in to just how helpless he'd come to feel in her presence.
"Like now?" she asked, threading one hand through his hair as she molded her lips against his.
"And now?" she repeated, kissing him more deeply.
"Always," Nathan murmured, his honesty extending into his next words. "Though I'm hoping I won't be sleeping too many more nights alone." He gently stroked up and down Elizabeth's thigh with his sizable hand. Considering what they'd mutually shared in spoken word, he felt more physical freedom to express the passion he felt toward this remarkable woman.
Nathan placed a few soft kisses descending down Elizabeth's cheek as he admitted, "Even when we're apart, I can hardly stop thinking about you, Lizabeth. The littlest thing sets me off…" His eyes dropped to his hand that again brushed across her thigh, "and this outfit isn't helping."
Elizabeth, in a moment of confusion, asked, "You don't like it?" Just sitting on the rock earlier, he'd told her the opposite.
"No, I do," Nathan assured her, his eyes doing the talking as they ran from her ankle up to her waist, and then settled on her questioning blue eyes. "I like it far too much," he smiled, increasingly confident in this intimate realm. "I love seeing every inch of these long legs."
Elizabeth wore a delighted blush, as if Nathan's compliments had painted her cheeks with warmth and sweetness. As affecting as this conversation was, to Elizabeth it felt exquisite at the same time. After a stabilizing breath, she grounded herself in Nathan's unwavering gaze, finding the courage to lean into the passion of their connection.
"Would you say, Mr Grant," she said, now wearing a flirtatious smile along with her pink cheeks, that my legs are the part of me you're drawn to the most?"
Nathan laughed a little and dropped his eyes, just as he'd done outside her row house the day he'd unintentionally given her a show in the jailhouse. He hardly had to think anymore, with the words that so naturally came. Still, in this realm, a small amount of filtering was at times necessary.
After gathering his thoughts, Nathan lifted his gaze and spoke directly to the spirited spark in Elizabeth's eyes. "With you, there are far too many favorites to count," he replied, as a man completely smitten. Nathan certainly could've elaborated into riskier territory, but he tried to play it reasonably safe considering the conversation. "Well," he specified, "even before we became a couple, your eyes, for one, were regularly my undoing."
Elizabeth smiled, deeply touched by all of his answers.
"What about you, Mrs Thornton?" Nathan asked, engaging in her same game of faux formality, though wishing with all his heart he could instead be using the name Mrs Grant.
"You want to know my favorite part of you?" she asked, toying with him.
Nathan responded with only his characteristic head tilt and a boyish grin.
Elizabeth decided to follow Nathan's lead of safety first, as if testing the water one shallow step at a time rather than plunging into the deep and submerging herself entirely.
"Until recently," she began, "I would've said your eyes as well. They're really quite striking, Nathan. I even noticed the first time we met." Momentarily diverted by the very eyes of which she spoke—ocean blue in color and as deep as the midnight sea—she gently brushed her thumb across his cheek, tracing a line beneath her favorite shade of blue.
Then, smiling into her admiration, she lowered her hand and found his before continuing. "Since then, they've become more and more distracting I'd have to say, as you've opened up to me. It's like your eyes have grown clearer and brighter by the day."
Nathan allowed himself a small smile, though any compliment from Elizabeth was sure to ignite a grin, if not checked. Although he wasn't sure what he expected her to say, he was admittedly a little disappointed she landed on his eyes, but not much. He appreciated that Elizabeth noticed the work he'd done to be open to her. Still, you couldn't put anything past a Mountie. He correctly detected she had more to say considering her phrase, "until recently."
When she continued on as expected, he realized she was about to reveal more. With no ability to temper the effect her words had on his heart, the keeper of his soul started thumping wildly.
"But," Elizabeth added, willing to take another step deeper into their intimate conversation, "when we're kissing, and I can't see your eyes, I think you can guess what part of you I'm drawn to most."
As she waited expectantly for Nathan's response, her eyes twinkled mischievously and a teasing smile taunted him. Somehow, Elizabeth had always enjoyed pushing his buttons, reveling in how easily she could affect this stoic Mountie. But now, she was starting to realize that Nathan wasn't nearly as reserved as she'd once thought. He'd simply lacked the right pairs of listening ears and responsive lips.
Now it was Nathan's turn to blush pink. He was constantly surprised at just how flirtatious Hope Valley's teacher could be. But, accepting Elizabeth's challenge, he first lifted her hand. "I've noticed," he said slowly, building suspense as he lightly traced each of her fingers between his thumb and his first two fingers, "how these small hands often end up in one particular place." He and Elizabeth exchanged knowing looks and smiles, both remembering what happened in the forest on their last date and then later in Elizabeth's home.
Nathan started moving her hand, intent to position it across his 3rd and 4th buttons. Only as her warm fingers brushed against the bare skin of his chest did he realize with an electrifying jolt that his shirt was still open from wanting more ventilation for his climb. Lost in the touch, rather than thinking to remedy what he couldn't see as a problem in the moment, Nathan instead dropped Elizabeth's hand even lower, softly placing it on his shirt over his tightly fastened 5th and 6th buttons.
"Am I right?" he whispered with an unavoidable smile.
"You caught me," she grinned, confirming his hypothesis. Since seeing Nathan shirtless, she'd rarely kissed him without the image of his muscular frame filling her mind. "But I have to imagine," Elizabeth said boldly, fiddling with his buttons beneath her fingers, "that there's not a part of you I won't love, Mr. Grant."
"Well, the moment I'm able to call you Mrs. Grant, I guess we'll have to find out."
Though Nathan would've filtered that comment if he'd known it was coming, he was helpless to do anything now about what he'd spoken directly from his heart. On the bright side, he thought, it was clearly well received. He watched the fire of his words leap into Elizabeth's cool blue eyes, as she glanced between his own heated gaze and lips.
Elizabeth couldn't possibly formulate a sentence worthy of Nathan's comment, seeing as a message with that degree of fiery inference could only be responded to with full physicality. Yet, with that option off the table, her mind spun as she wrestled with her thoughts, hoping to respond with the same significance he'd just given her.
For several moments, their gazes held, Nathan's words lingering between them, their breaths slowly syncing in quiet harmony. His blue eyes, tender yet intense, seemed to pull from her heart the truth she'd been holding inside. "I can't imagine wanting anything more," she breathed.
Simultaneously, their eyes lowered as they leaned in. The instant their lips touched, it was like fire meeting fire. Within their deepening kisses, there was more expressed than ever before, an awareness and acceptance of what they now both knew the other was longing for. Having shared so much passion in word, their physical response to one another only amplified. They both drew closer, pulling themselves to one another to reach the closest connection possible.
In a few instances, Elizabeth's hand filled the familiar space where Nathan's third and fourth buttons usually met, the warmth of her hand meeting the bare strength of his chest, as if returning home. Only once did her hand wander, traversing laterally in an intimate path that invited them up the stairs to the room they'd both already seen as theirs.
The moment their breaths grew shallow, Elizabeth felt her boundaries blur, the line between societal expectations and her heart's true desire beginning to fade. Yet, she managed to remind herself it was only a matter of time, an unknown span that seemed to be narrowing with every hour they spent together. So, she followed the plan they'd settled on by necessity during their first date—she softened their kisses, gently took Nathan's hand, and pressed a longing kiss to his knuckles before cradling his hand against her cheek.
While their racing hearts slowed and their breathing steadied, Elizabeth scooted off Nathan's lap and stood for a moment, smiling at him as she slipped off her coat.
"I think 'steamy' was an inspired word choice on my part," she teased, her gaze playfully pinning the cause of her sudden rise in temperature on Nathan. "I'm getting a little too warm," she explained.
"I wonder why," he grinned, reaching out his hand to draw her back. "Though this time we don't have the frosting to blame."
Subconsciously, Elizabeth pulled in her lips, sighing softly as she exhaled, savoring the memory of every last kiss and touch from the man she'd never again be able to call "reserved." Before returning to her previous position, though, she thought of Nathan's legs. Hers, for one, were tired from the climb.
"Are your legs okay, Nathan?" she asked warily "I've been sitting on your lap for nearly an hour!"
"My legs will never be a problem, 'Lizabeth," he told her. As she tried to figure out if this was a time to insist on his comfort, he abruptly stood and swept her up in his arms. Lowering once again to a seated position, with her on his lap, he whispered in her ear, "I'll always want you as close as possible."
"Well," she laughed softly, "I guess I don't have any complaints about that!" She loosely wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck, and nestled her head against his shoulder. Since they'd reached their physical limit for a time, Elizabeth continued sharing her passion in words, revealing a secret that only Rosemary knew, and even then, only to some extent.
"I probably shouldn't tell you this," she started, which immediately got Nathan's attention. "In fact, I don't think I can," she quickly added, recanting, hiding her face in his shoulder.
"You have to now," Nathan told her. "I'm not letting you off the hook that easily!"
"I can't, Nathan!" she groaned, shaking her head against his chest, suddenly feeling bashful.
"'Lizbeth, you can tell me anything," Nathan said, squeezing her tight. "Consider what we've already shared," he added.
Mid-motion, Elizabeth stopped shaking her head. Nathan made a fair point, she realized.
"Okay," she sighed, shifting her head from its hidden position, though she still nestled into his shoulder, preferring a little less exposure with her confession. "Back on the road trip, when you were changing in the tent, I couldn't help but imagine where you were in the process, trying to match the rustling sounds with what you might be swapping out at the moment."
Hearing this, Nathan's stomach somersaulted at least a few times.
Elizabeth laughed at herself, "I brushed the same section of hair at least ten times. Rosemary witnessed the whole thing and suggested I move on to a new spot. I know she can't possibly read thoughts—at least I hope that's not one of her 'gifts,'" she said with a touch of fear. "But seeing as my eyes were glued to the tent, I don't think it was hard for her to guess who was on my mind."
"So maybe this was just a sequel to my earlier showing," Nathan said with a light tone, hoping to spare Elizabeth any further embarrassment she already seemed to feel by her rosy red cheeks. They both laughed at the reference to that shocking moment in the Mountie office when he'd walked out shirtless. Nathan had never seen that exposure as a blessing in disguise, but maybe it was—an unexpected jolt to propriety that had broken the ice, gradually chipping away at the barrier that usually remained intact until marriage.
Although their personal boundaries still held their intimacy within certain limits, Nathan was grateful at how liberating it felt to at least be able to put some of their emotions to words. Now, after Elizabeth's vulnerable story, he was entirely aglow from within, completely undone at feeling so wanted.
Here he thought at the beginning of this conversation that he'd be sharing a confession and getting just a small something in return. In his best case scenario, he'd imagined Elizabeth offering an "I love you" or, at most, an "I'm looking forward to that part of marriage, too." He never imagined discovering just how perfectly matched they were in their passion.
"Speaking of the road trip," he began, realizing this was his opportunity to share something himself. "I should let you know that when I woke up to that miracle of you beside me, I did take a quick look under the blanket. I just wanted to see what pajamas you wore," he quickly added in self defense. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, though. I wasn't really sure how to bring it up."
When Elizabeth responded only with a smile, he felt permission to continue. "Your nightgown suited you—pink and ruffly," he said, offering his praise. "I did at least resist running my hand along the silky fabric."
For a moment, Elizabeth sat in silence, stunned by how Nathan could so often leave her speechless—a teacher, a published author.
Then, as always, when she let her heart speak, the words actually came easily. "I'm sure I would've loved waking up that way," she said, a seductive smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "but I know what you mean."
Though shuddery breaths were no longer present in this specific moment together, these two were still needing to remind themselves to breathe through these intimate confessions. After getting lost in Nathan's gaze, the longing evident in her eyes, Elizabeth inhaled deeply before continuing her thought.
"I think of that often, actually, what it would be like to wake up in your arms." Then, moving backwards, she said, "What it would feel like to fiddle with your pajama buttons, now that I've seen your pajamas."
After an affectionate shoulder bump, her eyes lingered on Nathan's and she smiled, tucking in her lips as she referenced that same blessed night they unknowingly slept beside each other on the road trip gone awry.
Nathan and Elizabeth quickly melted into the blue of each other's eyes. With every admission, they seemed to draw closer—not just physically, but in their shared understanding of a love poised to reach infinite possibilities.
At the same moment, they both sighed, smiles spreading as they exchanged knowing looks, silently acknowledging the deep physical connection they'd already found.
"So much to look forward to," Elizabeth murmured.
Nathan imagined that to be the case, but had no experience to draw from. "I'll have to take your word for it," he replied with obvious vulnerability, taking this unusually intimate moment to admit his virginity.
"Nathan, I was only married for a matter of days," Elizabeth immediately countered, supporting him with her touch as she reached for his hand and interwove their fingers.
He tilted his head in acknowledgment of her words, but his expression made it clear that her message hadn't quite convinced his heart.
"Besides, this is different, anyway," she said earnestly. "You've said it yourself. This is not a typical relationship."
She paused, her gaze softening as she reflected on the past. "I loved Jack with my whole heart. But, with how young we were and without a lot of life lived, we really were more like a single couple living two fairly separate lives."
Her eyes met Nathan's, the weight of her words sinking into his heart. "We never learned to rely on each other the way we have." Knowing that her being there for Nathan was still a work in progress on her part, she added, "even for the big things," which she knew was her greater strength. "It was impossible with how Jack's assignments took him away."
Taking a breath, Elizabeth looked down for a moment before continuing, her voice gentle but firm. "I've needed you, Nathan, in a way I've never needed anyone, and you've said the same of me."
"That's very true," Nathan agreed, his blue eyes radiating with the clarity of his love. Gently, he tucked a stray strand of Elizabeth's hair behind her ear, his touch warm and tender.
His intimate attention toward her didn't go unnoticed. "Thank you," Elizabeth said softly, brushing a brief kiss across his lips before continuing.
"My heart's been drawn to you for years, Nathan Grant. Looking back, it feels like we've been one person trying to live separate lives." Thinking of Nathan on her steps, morning or evening, she continued, "My porch became our home—the place where we finally came together. And now, it just feels right, now that we're intertwining…" She smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling. "Literally," she added, glancing at their shared closeness, where they were already physically connected in half a dozen ways.
"But I know, when we eventually walk up those stairs to our room and shut the door, that as Mrs. Grant, I'll finally feel like I've found my other half."
"Yes, two halves, finally whole," Nathan whispered with a smile, his heart more convinced than ever—Elizabeth would truly be his…and he'd be hers. With a touch of sadness he thought of his chocolate egg from Easter, one half left behind.
But before the memory had a chance to linger, Elizabeth searched Nathan's eyes, as though seeing their shared future unfold before her. She murmured the word, "Complete," and chose to assure Nathan of their physical love by giving him a kiss mixed equally with tenderness and fire.
Just like that first night on the porch, Nathan took a long, steady look at the woman who'd changed his life and healed his heart. He exhaled in awe, a deep sense of acceptance washing over him. With quiet strength, he drew Elizabeth close, holding her as if she were the very center of his world.
As his mind wandered through the familiar patterns in their relationship, he marveled at what he saw in Elizabeth. He was amazed, not just by her, but by who they were together.
In just the month since they'd become a couple, Nathan was often the one to reach out first, working to bridge any emotional distance between them. But, any time Elizabeth took his hand, she'd often lead them to places beyond what he'd even believed possible.
This date, though initially messy, had quickly exploded into something extraordinary—something that honestly wouldn't have been feasible without the chaos that came from more deeply opening up their hearts to each other.
That singular thought of the chaos set Nathan's mind awhirl with the weight of all the emotions they'd weathered that morning. Although it was only nearing lunch, he suddenly felt very tired. He knew Elizabeth had set her heart on going home earlier, which at this point didn't sound like such a bad idea to him, either. He gave Elizabeth an extra squeeze, and then, with a sheepish look, fastened buttons three and four.
"I can't believe I forgot about these," he said, shaking his head with noticeable embarrassment. Glancing her way with a mischievous scold in his eyes, he insisted, "You should've told me after I finished climbing."
"What? And ruin my view?" Elizabeth asked in mock protest. "Not a chance, Constable."
In response to her teasing, she loved how the low rumble of Nathan's laugh traveled through her and touched her heart.
As the final notes of his laughter faded, Nathan said resolutely, "Well, I'm ready when you are," pointing to his shirt, now only unbuttoned by the usual two.
At Elizabeth's confused look, he added, "To head home…Are you ready?"
Elizabeth shifted off his lap, as if in answer to his question. Then, with a glint in her eye, she said, "No," matter-of-factly. "I want to try again, Nathan, if we have the time, that is" she told him, glancing over at the rock wall. "I'm ready to climb. I know I can't mirror half your grace or ease, but somehow seeing you reach the top makes it feel possible. 'You make me feel brave,'" she said, touching her hand to his chest, where his buttons had been recently open. "In more ways than one," she added with a flirty smile, continuing their pattern of layered meanings.
Still, Nathan looked at Elizabeth with concern, remembering all the turmoil her last attempt had brought up. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I mean, if this is just for me, you don't have to—"
"Oh, I'm going to Nathan Grant," she sputtered confidently, and then grinned, "but only if the best Mountie and the finest of all men belays me." Her eyes twinkled as she kept her gaze focused only on Nathan. "You wouldn't know where to find him would you?"
"I think such a man could only ever be found around someone as remarkable as you, 'Lizabeth."
"Well, perhaps that's true," she said, reaching down to grab his hand, intent on pulling him up, "because here he is."
"Here I am," Nathan remarked, rising in response to her tugging in order to stand beside her.
With a squeal of anticipation, Elizabeth nearly skipped him over to the wall.
She picked up the harness, and while stepping into the leg loops herself, she told him, "I can probably do it on my own, but I wouldn't mind the help. I'll lift one loop, you lift the other?" she suggested. "Like we did for you?"
Watching her so capably and confidently getting ready, Nathan wasn't sure he'd ever loved her more than in this moment. "'Lizbeth,' he said, as he helped her with one side of the harness, "you never cease to amaze me, you know that?"
Elizabeth's cheeks blushed pink with the praise, though she shrugged at his words, unwilling to accept the compliment for herself, alone.
"Sometimes it's easy to settle for what's comfortable. But, what I'm learning in being with you," she explained, now wriggling those hips to move the harness into place, "is that you're going to be consistently stretching yourself and pushing harder and bigger. That's just who you are. And the last thing I want to do is be left behind."
With the harness properly positioned, Elizabeth shifted her weight on one leg, rotating one hip toward Nathan, ready to be cinched.
"So, Constable," she drawled, "I think I'd better get used to stretching myself."
As Nathan closely held the rope at her thigh and gave a few tugs, his fingers brushed against the fabric of her clothes, sparking an instant and electric connection. Their blue eyes met with a sudden intensity, and in a low and inviting voice, Nathan replied, "I'm sure we can find ways to stretch together."
"Now that sounds fun," Elizabeth quipped, her twinkling eyes accepting the suggestion.
She shifted her weight to the other leg, and Nathan moved to her other side to finish tightening the harness.
"I think this will be fun, too," she said cheerily, thinking of the climb ahead, though even she could hear the doubt in her voice.
"I hope it will be," Nathan replied, giving the rope at her hip one final yank. Still, wary of how this was going to go, he wanted to reassure his willing adventurer. So, wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her in closer and whispered, "No matter where you end up on that wall, sweetheart, I'm already so proud of you."
Elizabeth met his softened gaze with eyes full of fiery determination. "I'm going to make it to the top, Nathan. But I know I'll need your help up there," she quickly added, as this climb instantly became all too real. "I'm sorry I didn't listen earlier about which hold to use. I saw once you went up why the one I grabbed was a problem."
"Well, I'll be watching your every move, as you know," Nathan promised, "and for more reasons than one." The smolder that suddenly flashed in his eyes made Elizabeth's heart race even faster, her nerves already on edge for the climb ahead.
"Happy to hear it!" Elizabeth beamed, sighing with relief, as she responded with a phrase that aptly addressed each of his intended meanings.
Now that her harness was cinched, thanks to Nathan's powerful hands, she quickly clipped on her helmet. Although the speed with which she prepared for the climb may have been perceived as confidence, it was primarily meant to get her up on that wall before she changed her mind. This was scary. She'd slipped last time. And the only thing that had kept her from falling and being seriously injured was Nathan's skill and strength. She was trying not to think about what might happen if she slipped again. But, knowing Nathan had confidence in her, Elizabeth knew if she didn't panic and if she followed his suggestions that she could reach the top. She'd been so close.
As Nathan was tying her rope to the one he'd circled round his waist, he could feel Elizabeth's nervous energy. But this time was different. She actually seemed excited, ready for the challenge, and wanting to see what she could push herself to do. While Elizabeth frustrated him to the nth degree at times with her hesitancy to change, he regularly stood in awe at her explosive growth when she stopped resisting and opened up to the possibility.
In just a few moments, compared to the time before her first try, all the preparations were complete. The two climbing partners stood across from each other, the weight of this slow and steady ascent on both of their minds. Elizabeth may have taken a giant leap off a balcony, but they both knew it was often the smaller, patient progress that was the greater challenge.
Elizabeth took a deep breath. Nathan hugged her close, pulling her to his chest and resting his chin gently on the top of her head. "You've got this, sweetheart," he whispered. "I'll be there every step of the way." After brushing a kiss into her hair, he drew back slightly, intent on speaking directly to her newly receptive eyes.
"Now, if you slip again, and it's very likely you will," he said realistically, trying to mentally prepare her. "I'll be right here. You've seen that. I'm not going to let you fall. You know that, right?" The answer seemed obvious to him, but there was still a twinge of hurt from her words earlier about trusting him.
Elizabeth nodded her head, "Yes, I do, Nathan. I really do."
"Good," he said emphatically. "So, if you slip, I'll hold you steady with the rope. I promise. All you need to do is reach out and find a strong handhold to get repositioned. Now that you understand better what a firm hold feels like, I think you'll do great."
"Thank you, Nathan," she responded, two words that verbally said so little but through their eyes spoke volumes.
"Always," he murmured, folding her into a tender embrace, his arms wrapping around her with quiet strength, before pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
Anchored in Nathan's love, Elizabeth let herself go, stepping toward the towering rock wall. She looked at him with a renewed readiness and asked, "On belay?"
"Belay on," he answered back, eager to be her support.
Elizabeth's first moves off the ground were met with confidence, considering this was the very area that she'd powered through during her first attempt.
What was unknown to her, though, was how Nathan's heart was beating just as rapidly as hers, filled with compassion for this big leap of faith she was taking, a significant stretch that required dozens of methodical steps up rather than one single jump down.
What inspired him was seeing that she was doing this for herself, too, not just for him. Every move higher felt like a unified step into their future, where Elizabeth was now the one filling in the little "nothings" for him. To Nathan, this climb was an awakening as to who they could be together, the way their own individual paths motivated growth in each other.
He watched her closely, already admiring every inch of her beautiful figure. Though tempted, he didn't allow his mind to wander, focused first and foremost on her safety.
"One step at a time. You can do this. You're safe." Elizabeth repeated the words again and again she'd said earlier in her climb, meant to calm her nerves and keep her looking ahead rather than feeling worried about what was below her. Now, more than ever, she felt assured by the man supporting her, grounded in trust, despite her steadily increasing height.
To Elizabeth, something about the earthy scent was comforting, as if she felt a growing attachment to this stone wall, its textured holds offering a familiar challenge that was pushing her on. Nearing that infamous section where she'd made a wrong move, she could feel a light tremble in her arms and legs, as her heart picked up pace.
"Nathan!" she suddenly screamed. With no understanding of what had just happened, Elizabeth found herself once again in that terrifying position of dangling in the air beside the rocky cliff.
Instantly, Nathan shouted up, "Breathe, sweetheart, breathe! I've got you!" Though Nathan would be ever true to his word and keep Elizabeth safe, the pain in his hand was definitely more severe now in his already branded brake hand.
Recovering from the initial shock, Elizabeth could feel her mind engaging. She followed Nathan's instructions and forced herself through several combinations of deep inhalations paired with slow exhalations.
"Good job, 'Lizbeth!" Thankfully, he already saw a difference between the last time Elizabeth had fallen into this circumstance and this time. Rather than remaining rigid and motionless, Nathan could see her focused breaths working to calm her body.
In a steady voice, Nathan guided her attention. "Look at the wall, love. Find your next anchor point. You've got this!" To his surprise, Elizabeth quickly worked through her fear, and reached out a hand.
"Thanks, sweetheart!" she called down to him, shaky but determined. With an improved understanding as to what would provide a solid foundation, she reached for what she knew now was called a jug—a large, rounded hold that would offer the needed stability to reposition herself.
Once she gripped that anchor point, Elizabeth was surprised at how easy it was to settle into a secure stance. Although the adrenaline was still coursing through her, causing a noticeable tremor throughout her entire body, she felt excited and empowered to be back on the wall.
"I did it, Nathan!" she cried out, pausing to catch her breath before figuring out her next move. Gripping tightly to her holds and leaning into the wall, she turned her head to find Nathan below. Even at eighteen feet up, she could read the emotion in his face. She knew well that loving look in his eyes and the accompanying smile that at any moment appeared as though it might quiver with emotion.
She'd first discovered this vulnerable expression of his when he initially stumbled through his acceptance speech at the medals ceremony, trying to express his feelings in front of a room full of people. But, the moment Nathan's eyes found hers, Elizabeth watched him in awe, seeing how his demeanor softened, his words flowing smoothly like a river, deliberate and impactful.
Even then, she'd recognized with tenderness that, in a rare moment, she'd been this brave Mountie's anchor point
Though imposing in his ceremonial uniform, Nathan had been dangling up there at the podium, spiraling, unable to put two thoughts together. In all of his 6'3" stature, Nathan certainly appeared intimidating, heroic, and, of course, the epitome of an impeccable Mountie. But beneath the serge, Elizabeth was uncovering more and more of the man she had come to humbly realize needed her just as much as she needed him.
Although in reality, she was far away from that pivotal evening, and now eighteen feet in the air, clinging to a rock wall, her gaze remained fixed on Nathan, reading the same expression he'd worn the moment their eyes met during his speech.
Tears she hadn't even realized were forming suddenly slipped from her eyes and trailed down her cheeks. Still, she didn't look away, their connection deepening as she settled into the understanding of how tightly bound they were to one another.
Elizabeth could see the emotion so clearly in his eyes now, in the smile that was indeed quivering, though he was trying to hold it steady. This mattered to him. She mattered to him, and any and every little way he felt her support mattered to him. She felt a rush of gratitude and love, knowing that in this very moment, she was giving him exactly what he needed—her trust, her presence, and a willingness to stretch and reach new heights together. She certainly didn't want to be the one to hold them back.
Below, standing at the ready, Nathan swallowed hard and clenched his teeth, trying to control his rising emotion. He hated seeing Elizabeth struggle up there, and it made him realize that he never wanted her to feel that his love was to any degree conditional upon anything she did. Above all else, he was concerned for her well being. He just wanted her to be safe, and to him, that meant safe in heart, as well.
Believing her tears were from nerves, Nathan called up to her, "Sweetheart, you're safe! I'm so proud of you, whatever you decide." He was proud of her, for her own accomplishment, while also deeply moved by what her persistence to even be up there on the wall again proved to him—she'd be there to support him in his newly opened heart.
Nathan saw her shoulders rise in another stabilizing breath. Then, she offered him a weak smile, broke away from his gaze, and turned her head to face the cliff, only inches from her face. He gasped in hopeful astonishment the moment he saw Elizabeth simultaneously look up and reach, realizing she was going to keep going.
Although Elizabeth didn't notice, her words changed from that point on as the intentional placement of her hands and feet led her steadily upward. "One step at a time. We can do this. We're safe." Sensing Nathan's support in her every step, she was flooded with love and a new sense of confidence.
To her surprise, she breezed through the challenging section where she'd slipped before, perfectly anchored as she relied on the more stable, less obvious handhold rather than assuming the one providing the easiest grip would be the better choice.
With an extra "Hmph" at the top to pull herself up and over the ledge, she collapsed with relief. She made it! They made it. Just as she was about to stand and celebrate their victory, something caught her eye. Through a sheen of triumphant tears, she noticed an unusual object glinting in the sun beside her.
Rising to a seated position, she picked up a small cellophane sleeve, and placed it in the palm of her hand. Inside was an odd-shaped object wrapped in a glistening gold-colored foil. Toward the top of the clear package was a tiny red ribbon.
Nathan had teased her earlier how in nature ropes don't just magically appear on cliffs that look interesting to climb. So, knowing now that Nathan had set the rope, and even climbed the route several times, she assumed with a wave of affection that this little gift had to be his doing as well.
Lacking his confidence to stand near any edge, roped or not, she scooted over and leaned out ever so slightly to where she could see him.
"Nathan! What is this?!" she cried out in a shaky voice, already on the brink of shedding her tears—not only from the emotional exertion of the climb, and the subsequent triumph, but also from the realization of how much thought her sweetheart had put into planning this date, seeming to have placed something special at the top, just for her.
Giving only a single hint, Nathan called up to her with a grin, "I hope you're still thinking that chocolate egg is worth the risk!" His layered response humbly acknowledged the abundance of highs and unintentional lows that had already filled their date so far.
"Always," Elizabeth responded, smiling down at him, remembering the brush of their hands the night he presented her with the hard-earned, symbolic piece of Easter candy. While she understood the reference, she didn't yet know how it related to the small gift. Still seated, she awkwardly shuffled back to a safer position, away from the edge, falling quiet as she studied the package more closely. But this wasn't an egg, she thought, analyzing the shape of the gold foil.
A mere second later, Elizabeth's heart caught in her throat, as realization struck that she was looking at a perfect half of a chocolate Easter egg.
"There's another one isn't there?" she asked, in a voice loud enough to carry down below. Only, the last word hadn't even passed her lips before her tears began to flow freely.
"I got mine with my climb," Nathan explained in a booming voice, though his brow was already furrowing, startled by the sound of her crying. "It's down here in my pocket still." He wasn't sure what adding in that detail did, but somehow just continuing to talk felt like he might find out more about what she was feeling.
Elizabeth held the package close to her heart as she tucked her knees to her chest and continued to cry, overcome by a mix of nerves, elation, and gratitude. She almost missed this, she realized. If she'd quit, if she'd gone home as she'd initially demanded, she never would've known about this thoughtful gesture—a gift so unique, it could only have come from the deepest reaches of Nathan's heart.
Even though she'd hurled angry words at him after her botched first attempt, in his kindness he hadn't even thrown back at her just how much she'd derailed his plans. He was such a good man, she thought.
"'Lizbeth, sweetheart? Are you okay?"
Nathan's words seemed to fade, swallowed by the muffled sound of her cries. He felt awful being at a distance, hearing her hurting, unable to read her eyes, to feel what was in her heart.
"What can I do to help?" he asked, the desperation in his voice its own kind of cry.
Struck by Nathan's worry, Elizabeth took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes, trying in a rush to calm her emotions. After another long exhalation, she gathered herself, finding her strength in his love.
"Nathan! You didn't tell me I'd need tissues up here!" she joked.
Hearing the humor in her voice, Nathan released a sigh of relief, the tension in his chest easing. Unknowingly, Elizabeth had given him two important clues—her cheery tone and her speedy recovery. From those, he quickly reasoned that not one single tear just now from Elizabeth's beautiful blue eyes had been shed in sadness. And since he'd made the notable observation that her crying started after she'd asked about his gift, Nathan suddenly felt his own eyes misting. He was overcome, assured in the knowledge that his symbolic offering mattered to her, that it had touched her heart the way he'd hoped.
Up above, Elizabeth found herself gently stroking Nathan's gift with her thumb, wondering how best to bring it down from the crest of the cliff. She hated to do anything with that special little package, other than holding it close. After giving it a small squeeze, she reluctantly slipped the golden half egg, red bow and all, into her pocket. In part, she needed her hands free for the rappel down. But, above all else, she needed to be with Nathan, as quickly as time would allow.
After listening carefully to Nathan's final instructions, she certainly did not bound down like he did. Rather, she nervously stood at the edge, leaned out, and awkwardly "walked" herself backwards down the crag with her right hand dangling below her acting as an additional brake.
Once she lowered to the ground, her eyes again filled with tears, and she ran straight into Nathan's arms.
"Thank you," she whispered, moved beyond words. For a few moments neither spoke, their deepest emotions intertwining in the silence. Then, Elizabeth gently pulled her treasured reward from her pocket, tenderly holding it in her open palm.
"The chocolate egg," she softly laughed through her tears. "I still have mine," she confessed.
To Nathan, though her words were few, each one that passed through her lips tugged at his heart, tempting him to let go of the emotions he was barely keeping in check. In feeling that she treasured their special Easter interchanges just as much as he did, he silently drew her in, holding her as close to his heart as possible.
"That was a day to remember," was all he felt like he could say, blinking back his own tears.
Standing below the rock wall, still tethered together by the rope, the two adventurers held each other intimately, feeling all the more complete.
After an unmeasured amount of time had passed, Nathan finally pulled back, his concern building as to how Elizabeth felt about the climb, her unexpected slip and all. "You okay, sweetheart?" he asked, searching her eyes.
"Better now," she smiled.
With the realization settling in as to what this remarkable woman had just done, Nathan gazed at her with stars in his eyes, and said with infinite admiration, "You did it, 'Lizabeth!"
She squealed in sudden delight and threw her arms around Nathan. "We did it!" she said as he twirled her around. Once he lowered her gently to the ground, she gushed about the experience. "And it was fun, Nathan! It really was!" Her eyes were sparkling. "But it's something I know I never would've done without you!"
Nathan grinned, in awe of her transformation from how she'd reacted to her first climb. He felt so proud of her turnaround. That was Elizabeth. And she was his … well, almost, and hopefully soon.
He took both of her hands tenderly in his. "All I can say is that we're better together, and I feel that for me, too." He lifted her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.
After a few more celebratory kisses that catapulted them toward full healing and an unbreakable bond, Elizabeth touched her fingers to her cheeks, imagining the mess she looked after all her emotional tears.
"Do you mind if I freshen up a little bit for the rest of our date?" she asked, conveying her commitment to stay the course. "Since your letter told me to bring a dress," she explained, "I also brought my makeup bag. I'm sure I look like a blotchy mess right now," she added with a touch of self-consciousness.
Nathan nearly let out a whoop of excitement, instantly energized by the reality that somehow this date had been redeemed and was moving forward in its entirety. He knew Elizabeth didn't need to freshen up for their next activity, but he wanted to be supportive regardless. "Whatever you'd like…" he said.
Though she turned to retrieve her bag, he still lovingly held onto her hand. "But, 'Lizbeth. I just want you to know, you never need to freshen up for me. Every look of yours is beautiful."
She kissed him softly in response, and then said playfully back, "The same goes for you Constable. I care not what you wear, in case you were wondering. Every look of yours is distractingly good looking."
Little did she know she was soon to meet a look of his she hadn't yet met.
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Author's Notes:
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'd love to hear your comments if you'd like to share. Two more chapters to go, likely to be posted this coming week! Writing is in progress!
As an FYI, I love doing research and try to make my stories as authentic as possible, but it's been a beast for various stories to figure out what legitimate towns or cities might've been within a decent horse ride, car ride, or train ride in the 1920s for a road trip, a weekend getaway, or the like. So, in this story, the town of Nelson they were discussing is a real place. Maybe some of you have been there. It's not close to where Hope Valley theoretically is. But, just indulge me this one time. This place needed to be a big enough town to have a doctor who'd be offering some sort of therapy equivalent at the time. Plus, it sounded like a beautiful spot for some rest and recuperation to pair with what was likely the beginning of a challenging, but meaningful, stretch of time for Nathan and Elizabeth.