Nathan took Elizabeth's coat from the coat stand and held it out for her to slip her arms into. He lifted her hair, freeing it from the collar as Elizabeth wrapped her scarf around her neck. He felt her stiffen when he touched her hair and was concerned, he had offended her. He only relaxed when Elizabeth's smiled at him over her shoulder, letting him know it was okay.

They left the restaurant and walked toward the park, making small talk about the shop fronts they passed by. The sidewalk was crowded with Christmas shoppers, and occasionally, their arms brushed together as they stepped closer to each other to avoid bumping into the other shoppers. As they turned to walk through the gateway to the park, Nathan put his arm around Elizabeth's back, guiding her through the throngs of people. When they entered the park and some of the crowd disappeared, Nathan reluctantly let his arm drop away.

A horse's neigh caught Nathan's attention, and he saw a pair of horses harnessed to a sleigh. The sleigh had been decorated with Christmas baubles and tinsel, and the horses' bridles were adorned with red velvet and tiny gold bells. The sign advertised rides through the park, and it looked as though it was free at the moment.

"Elizabeth, I know you wanted to walk off lunch, but what about if we walk back?" Nathan said as he pointed to the sleigh. "I haven't been on a sleigh ride in years."

It took Elizabeth several seconds to answer, but when she did, a smile lit up her face as she nodded. Nathan rushed over to secure their ride, not wanting to give her a chance to change her mind. Nathan spoke to the Sleigh owner, arranging for their ride.

Nathan stood at the side of the sleigh and held out his hand to assist Elizabeth. She grasped his hand, and their eyes met as she used his strength to help her step up into the sleigh. Nathan stepped in beside her, taking his seat to her left. Elizabeth picked up a blanket folded over the back of the seat and laid it over her knees. As Nathan settled in, she lifted the edge of the blanket and placed it over his knees, sharing it with him.

The sleigh took off with a jerk, and Elizabeth let out a small yelp, reaching out to steady herself, her hand landing on Nathan's knee. It took a few seconds for her to adjust to the rhythm of their carriage before she snatched her hand away, apologising, her cheeks flushing.

Nathan bit his lip to stop the smile that was trying to escape. He liked the feel of Elizabeth close by him, and he could still feel the heat from her hand on his leg. Having Elizabeth so close was causing havoc with his heart rate. The swaying of the sleigh kept pushing them gently against each other, and each time it did, he felt the same jolt he had felt the first time they shook hands.

After several minutes, Nathan broke the silence by asking Elizabeth about some landmarks he could see. As she explained the various things and places to him, he felt her start to relax, and the next time the sleigh threw them together, she didn't pull away as quickly. When the blanket slipped off his knees, Elizabeth caught it, smoothing it back over his legs, smiling at him shyly.

"Elizabeth, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Elizabeth replied, confused. He had already been asking a lot of questions.

"Do you think we were set up today?"

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed a lovely shade of red as she nodded.

"Yes, I do. I believe my best friend and your sister somehow planned all of this. The only innocent was Allie, even though she was the one who technically made the invitation."

Nathan chuckled, remembering Allie's innocent offer. "I wonder how Colleen and Rosemary had been planning to do it. They must have cheered when she did their dirty work for them."

"I am sorry, Nathan. Rosemary means well. She and Lee are just so happy they want that for everyone they care about. I am the only one of her friends who is still single, so, unfortunately, she has focused her attention on me."

"Colleen is the same about me. She always complains that I spend too much time working and not enough time dating. She wants me to settle down and start a family." Nathan paused, wondering how much of Colleen's personal information was okay to share with Elizabeth. "Colleen is the opposite of Rosemary, though; her marriage isn't a happy one. Her husband Dylan is no Lee, and I am sorry to say I have wanted them to separate for a long time."

"Are they still together?"

"Not right now, but it's ...unofficial."

Elizabeth frowned at his noncommittal answer but didn't have time to probe any further as the sleigh drew to a stop. They had done a half-circuit and had arrived at the opposite end of the park. Minnie's cafe was just across the road.

"Are you ready for one of the best hot chocolates you've ever tasted?" Elizabeth asked, changing the subject to something other than their being set up.

"Lead the way," Nathan said, standing and jumping down from the sleigh. Turning back, he reached out to help her down the steps before they walked in companionable silence until they reached the cafe.

Nathan held the door for Elizabeth, letting her enter before him. From the moment they stepped inside, it was clear Elizabeth was a regular. The woman behind the counter, wearing an apron embroidered with the name ' Minnie', called out a friendly greeting. He saw her raise her eyebrows when she realised Nathan and Elizabeth were together.

Elizabeth refused a table, explaining to Minnie their plan to walk off lunch while drinking their hot chocolate.

Elizabeth insisted on paying for the hot chocolates, even though it wouldn't cover even close to the cost of her lunch. Nathan tried to argue, but Elizabeth insisted, and after a bit of back and forth, he finally conceded. Nathan looked around the coffee shop, liking what he saw. It wasn't crowded, but most of the tables were occupied. There were mothers with small children in prams and individuals with laptops, either studying or on social media. On each table, plates were filled with generous servings of delicious food and cakes. He knew he would be back to Minnie's to sample some of her amazing cooking.

Nathan glanced at a couple sitting at a corner table as Elizabeth waved to them. She explained that it was her Captain from the Fire Station, Bill Avery and his wife Adaline, or Addie as everyone called her. Nathan could see that Bill was studying him, not bothering to try to hide his curiosity about him, and he wondered how long it would take until he approached them. Not long was the answer, thought Nathan as Bill said something to his wife and stood, walking towards them.

"I've heard a lot about you," Bill said as he gripped his hand as Elizabeth introduced him. "Lee Coulter is a good friend of mine."

"Lee's a good man; he has been fantastic helping me settle in, and so has Dr Carter."

"I know her husband Carson better than Faith, but they are both good people. You'll find most people in Crystal Haven are."

"That's what I've found so far. It already feels like home."

Bill peppered Nathan with questions, some of which included why he had left Boston, whether he thought he would get bored in such a small town after living in a large City. Nathan answered each question honestly, having nothing to hide. When Bill asked him about his personal life, and if he was in a relationship, Elizabeth interjected and advised him he didn't have to answer. Nathan answered Bill anyway, he really didn't have anything to hide. When he explained to Bill, he wasn't in a relationship, he had looked between the two of them, raising his eyebrows. He saw Elizabeth blush and was pleased, that Minnie placed their order on the counter, giving them an excuse to escape.

Stepping out of the Cafe, Nathan sipped his hot chocolate. "You were right about the hot chocolate; this is amazing."

"Clara and I go there far too often, but when you don't always get to sit and enjoy coffee, you want to make it worthwhile."

They spoke of the challenges they each faced in their jobs, and Nathan was pleased to hear how passionate she was about what she did. He felt the same way about being a doctor and could relate well. He found himself relating to everything about Elizabeth Thatcher so far and wanted to know everything else there was to know.

They reached his car faster than Nathan wanted; he wished their time together hadn't gone so quickly. Driving back to the school, Elizabeth pointed out different landmarks, one being of particular interest because it led to the ski fields she had recommended. Nathan asked her more about the hiking and camping, wondering if Colleen would let him take Allie camping when the weather warmed up. He knew his sister wouldn't want to go. Colleen wasn't a fan of the outdoors, and certainly hated roughing it. When he mentioned taking Allie for a weekend, Elizabeth suggested he also discuss it with Faith and Carson. They often took Carson's niece Penny with them for a weekend.

By the time they reached the restaurant carpark, Nathan was wracking his brain for an excuse to see Elizabeth again. He didn't want to scare her off by being too pushy. From what people told him of Elizabeth, she didn't date and hadn't dated since arriving in Crystal Haven. There had to be a reason a woman as intelligent, engaging, passionate and beautiful as Elizabeth was single.

After he helped her from the car, they both walked toward hers in awkward silence.

"Elizabeth."

"Nathan."

They both stopped, laughing as they indicated the other should speak first.

"Please, Elizabeth, you go."

"I was just going to ask if you were definitely going to Lee and Rosemary's on Friday night."

"I wouldn't miss it," he answered honestly. There was no way he would miss a chance to spend more time with Elizabeth.

Would you like to travel together? I could pick you up." Rolling her eyes, she grinned and said, "Rosemary made sure I knew the area where you lived, and we are practically neighbours."

"I would love to go together, but please, let me drive." Nathan grinned back at her and said, "Rosemary also made sure I knew where you lived, and you are on my way."

"Okay, you can drive this time," Elizabeth agreed. "Do you have a piece of paper? I'll write down my address."

"Why don't you put your contact details in my phone?" Nathan suggested, slipping his phone out of his pocket, and handing it to her.

Nathan saw Elizabeth smile before she ducked her head, doing as he asked and handing him his phone back. He fiddled with it, fingers skimming the screen until her phone pinged in her back pocket.

"That's me; now you have my details as well."

"I should get going," Elizabeth said reluctantly, getting her keys out of her handbag but not moving toward the car door.

"I had a really good time today, at lunch, and after." Nathan admitted, pleased when her lips curled into a smile.

"Me too," Elizabeth acknowledged.

A gust of wind blew up, and Nathan instinctively reached out and brushed back a lock of hair that had blown across Elizabeth's face. Nathan knew it was his turn to be bold. Elizabeth had stepped out of her comfort zone by suggested going together to Lee and Rosemary's and he knew that it would send a statement about their relationship when they arrived together.

"Elizabeth. Today might have been a set-up, but I didn't mind. From the moment I met you, I... I wanted to get to know you better. I just hadn't worked out how to make it happen." Nathan paused, "after spending even this brief time with you, I know I want to do it again. Soon."

"I am still having words with Rosemary, though" Elizabeth said blushing as he grinned at her, and she realised she had just admitted to feeling the same way he did.

"Oh, and Colleen will get an earful from me too." Nathan stopped and then burst out laughing. Composing himself, he said "Actually, I have an idea."

"Let's hear it." Elizabeth said, her eyes lighting up with mischief.