Chapter 382 – Last Morning in Minnesota

Frank was the first one up on Friday morning. The sun wasn't quite up yet, but it was starting to get light enough to see. Frank went out to make himself some coffee. While he waited for the coffee to brew, he decided a morning swim would be nice, so went to change and grabbed a towel as well. When he got back to the kitchen, he made himself a travel mug with the coffee and grabbed a banana to eat on the way to the shoreline.

Frank walked to the end of the dock, took a couple sips of the coffee, set his stuff down and dove into the water. Frank ended up swimming for over twenty minutes before he got up on the dock and sat there enjoying the sunrise. While Frank sat there, he also prayed. He prayed for safe travel. He prayed for Nathan and specifically that they would find their way to move forward without anyone getting hurt and that was good for both of them. Frank also prayed for Jack and Elizabeth as he knew that they would face numerous challenges as they went back to the city and started school. Frank took a moment to pray for healing for Colleen. He also prayed for Allie that she would be okay and not suffer because of what her father had done. He prayed for Nathan to know how to help both of them while still allowing Colleen the Independence that she wanted.

Finally, Frank prayed for himself as he got busy building Jack's dream for the orchard. He prayed that God would lead him to the person that he wanted. He prayed that he would find a group of men to hang out with that he would be able to lean on. Frank knew that he had met several people, but wasn't sure about hanging out with them all the time. He loved hanging out with Manny, but at the same time it was hard as most of them were married. He felt out of place with most of them and it wasn't just the difference in cultures.

Frank sat there enjoying the morning as he finished his coffee. Once he had finished his coffee, he dried off his legs, picked up his stuff and headed back to the cabin. Frank refilled his coffee and made some more. He decided to have some breakfast before he showered and finished packing. Frank went to see if Nathan wanted breakfast and found him gone. Figuring he went to workout, Frank went about his plan to eat and get ready.

… … … …

Nathan woke up still feeling tired. He took a deep breath and got up. He wanted to splash some water on his face before he got dressed to workout and go for a swim. He went to the kitchen, he saw the coffee and debated for a moment before making a water bottle and grabbing a Gatorade. Nathan headed out and noted that Frank was down on the dock. He could tell that Frank had been swimming, but all Nathan wanted at that moment was to workout to try and sort through his feelings.

Nathan worked out for close to an hour before heading for a swim. It was a bit later than he had been going, so he knew that he was going to draw a bit more attention. Nathan had been much more aware of women watching him since Frank said something. Nathan got to the end of the dock where Frank had been sitting earlier. He slipped his sandals off after he had set his other stuff down. Nathan then peeled off his soaked shirt, dropped it on the dock and dove into the water.

For over thirty minutes, Nathan swam back and forth from the dock to the buoy. He thought about everything that had happened over the last few months and how much his life had changed and was still going to change. He especially thought about everything that had happened over the last few days. He couldn't believe how much had changed in his heart in a matter of days. He had heard of love at first sight and instantly knowing when it was right, but Nathan had never really believed that. He always had believed that it took time to know someone and fall in love with them. At one point, Nathan stopped swimming and just floated on his back.

"Why God? Why?" Nathan cried out loud, slapping his hand against the water, making a huge splash.

Nathan floated there for a few minutes, before taking a deep breath, rolling over and finishing his lap. He did two more laps before he stopped. Nathan climbed up on the dock where he stood, water dripping from his body as he let out a harsh breath. He ran his fingers through his hair to comb it back. He then wiped the excess water off his body and went to sit down on the edge where he could dry off and think for a bit longer. Nathan looked out over the lake and just took in the sight. As much as he knew that they needed to get back, he was going to miss the view and go swimming in the mornings.

As Nathan sat there, he heard footsteps on the dock. He turned to see Frank, still dressed in his swim shorts, approaching him carrying two travel mugs.

"Here." Frank said, offering one to Nathan.

"Thanks." Nathan said.

Frank took a seat next to Nathan and looked out over the lake.

"It is a pretty view." Frank said.

"It is and I am going to miss swimming in the morning." Nathan said. "I hope that we get to come back someday. I would love to spend more time here."

"I know what you mean." Frank said. "I have a feeling that we will be coming back here if things work out."

Both continued to watch the lake come alive. They could see a few boats out fishing and heard two more leave as they were sitting there.

"Feeling better?" Frank finally asked.

"A little." Nathan said. "I still don't know how I am going to make everything work, but I am committed to trying."

"One day at a time." Frank said. "I also don't think that security is going to be as hard as we think when you get back to City. From the updates from Devin, a lot has happened and there have been other things put into place."

"I know." Nathan said. "But it is still a lot."

"And you will take it one day at a time." Frank said. "It is amazing how much you can do when you have a routine. Look at what you did with the horses."

Nathan nodded and they sat there for a few more minutes.

"We really should finish packing." Nathan said.

"There is not much left." Frank said. "It is only about eight thirty and I have yet to hear from Jack."

"Okay." Nathan said.

They sat there for a few more minutes before finally getting up and heading back to the cabin. Nathan made himself some breakfast while Frank went to shower. After Nathan ate, he finished packing and double checked the room. All that was left was his clothes to change into after he showered.

… … … …

Jack woke up and saw the sun was already showing its face. He slipped from the bed and headed to the bathroom. After he had showered and shaved, he gathered all his stuff and packed while getting dressed. Once he had taken care of that, he headed to make some coffee.

As he was enjoying his first cup, Elizabeth came out only wearing the long tee-shirt she had worn the night before. She immediately went for the coffee. She sat down and held the mug close to her face as she inhaled the aroma. For Jack it was reminiscent of their first morning together back in June and couldn't help but smile.

"Morning beautiful." Jack said.

"Morning." Elizabeth mumbled.

"Do you have much left to pack?" Jack asked.

"No." Elizabeth said. "Mainly just the food and a few things in the bathroom."

"Okay." Jack said.

"What time will we be home?" Elizabeth said.

"We should be at the ranch by four." Jack said. "It will depend on what time we take off this morning and how long we are on the ground at Teterboro. But even saying we don't take off until closer to eleven and have to wait in Jersey, I figured by four."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

"Will we be able to send anything with Chris to have him take it back to the apartment?" Jack asked. "I am just thinking about when we fly back to the City."

"How long are we going to be in Saratoga?" Elizabeth asked.

"We take off from the ranch at about ten on Sunday morning." Jack said. "I can change that and we can leave tomorrow."

"No, Sunday is fine." Elizabeth said. "Let me just rearrange a few things and we can leave my big bag and the one tote that is mostly our stuff along with the stuff for Doug and Lee."

"Thank you." Jack said. "I will be able to leave my big bag as well with Chris. So we will each have the carry-on bag and a messenger bag plus the tote."

"Well the cooler as well." Elizabeth said.

"Right." Jack said. "I was thinking about when we were flying back."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth got up and made them some breakfast. She then went to rearrange her bags and finish packing. As the bags and totes were ready, she brought them to sit by the front door to make it easier to load into the truck. The last thing that they packed up was the food. There wasn't much left, but Elizabeth was still glad that they had the cooler to make it easier. Once they had everything packed, Jack texted Frank so he could come help load things into the truck.

… … … …

Once Nathan had eaten, showered, gotten everything packed and then dressed for the day, he texted Kayla.

"She said to come over." Nathan said. "All of my stuff is packed. My two guns are still in the gun safe on my bed, along with my jacket and computer bag. I promise I won't be long."

"Go and take your time." Frank said. "Don't worry about it. I have already loaded my big bag and guitar case into the truck. I can get things loaded. You say goodbye to Kayla. I know that you will see her soon, but you need to do this."

"Thank you." Nathan said.

Nathan took the keys so he could take his bag and guitar case to the truck.

"Leave it unlocked and the keys in the center console." Frank said. "I will be taking stuff up there in just a bit. So it will be fine."

"Okay." Nathan said.

Nathan took his stuff to the truck and then headed over to Kayla's. When he arrived Katie was sitting on the deck.

"Morning Katie." Nathan said.

"Hi." Katie said. "You going to play with the boys again?"

"No." Nathan said. "My friends and I are actually leaving soon."

"Oh." Katie said. "Is that why Aunt Kayla was crying?"

Before Nathan could say anything, Kayla came outside.

"Katie!" Kayla hissed, coming outside.

"What?" Katie said. "You were crying last night and again this morning."

Kayla looked at Nathan.

"Sorry." Kayla said. "Come inside for a moment."

Nathan and Kayla went inside and Cassie came running up holding her little horse toy. Nathan crouched down to her level.

"Pay, pease?" Cassie asked.

"I can't play with you right now." Nathan said. "I came over to say goodbye for now. I need to go home."

Cassie's little bottom lip began to quiver and she flung herself into Nathan's arms.

"No!" Cassie cried. "No go. Love you."

Nathan's heart broke, so he hugged the little girl and stood up with her in his arms.

"It is okay." Nathan said, softly trying to comfort the girl.

He took his one hand and tried to wipe Cassie's tears.

"It will be okay." Kayla said, coming over. "Mr Nathan just lives across the river from us and we will see him again."

Cassie looked at her mother and then back at Nathan.

"Pomise?" Cassie asked.

"I promise." Nathan said. "I won't be far. I will see you again. I am already making plans to see you on your birthday."

Cassie wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck.

"No go." Cassie said. "Stay and be Daddy."

Everyone stopped as Cassie said that. They hadn't even been aware that she understood what was going on.

"Cassie." Kayla said. "It doesn't work that way."

"Cassie." Nathan said. "I love you too, but right now, I need to go home. My niece, Allie, needs me. Her mommy is sick and I need to take care of Allie."

Kayla pried her daughter off of Nathan, kissed her head and handed her to Katherine, who took her outside to give Nathan and Kayla a moment. Nathan took a deep breath as Katherine took Cassie out. His heart completely melted when she called him daddy. He wanted nothing more, but he needed some more time.

"I am so sorry about that." Kayla said.

Nathan took a deep breath.

"It is okay." Nathan said. "She is little and didn't know what she was saying."

"What time is your flight?" Kayla said. "Traffic in the Twin Cities is going to be bad."

"We aren't going to the cities." Nathan said.

"Oh, you flying out of Duluth?" Kayla said.

"Something like that." Nathan said. "I will text you when I land. We have friends meeting us so I can go right to the hospital and see my sister."

"That is good." Kayla said. "My flight tomorrow is just after two so it is going to be supper time before I am home. I am sure that Cassie is going to be a bear going home, so it might be late when I get a chance to call."

"That is okay." Nathan said. "Let me know anyway."

"I will." Kayla said. "And as soon as you know your schedule, we will find time even if we have to bring the girls."

"We will figure something out." Nathan said. "I will know more when I get back to the city."

Kayla nodded and then they stood there awkwardly for a few minutes. They would each quickly glance at the other person's lips before returning to their eyes. Kayla licked her lips and let out a little sigh.

"I want to kiss you." Kayla said. "But I don't know if I should. I don't want to push."

Nathan took a step closer to Kayla.

"And if I wanted to kiss you." Nathan said, softly.

"I wouldn't stop you." Kayla said, almost breathless.

Nathan took her hand and pulled her close. He looked at her lips one more time and Kayla nodded. Nathan cupped her cheek with one hand and kissed her, hard. Kayla gripped Nathan's arm as her knees went weak. Nathan finally pulled back.

"Talk to you tonight." Nathan said.

"Tonight." Kayla said, barely above a whisper.

Nathan broke his contact with Kayla, turned and walked away before he did something he would regret. He didn't say another word, because he couldn't as he was feeling overwhelmed. He knew that he had to leave before he couldn't anymore. His heart and body were winning the battle with his head. Nathan quickly went down the stairs and let his long strides carry him away. He didn't even look back, he couldn't because if he did, he would have run back to Kayla and pushed things too far.

Nathan didn't stop until he got to the cabin. He quickly went in and sank into the chair. He blew out a harsh breath. Once he had a moment, he looked around and saw that Frank had taken everything to the truck, so he stood and double checked to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything. Nathan needed to distract himself for a moment and once he had checked the cabin, he sank back into the chair and dropped his head to his hands.

It was sinking in what he had done. He had told himself that he wasn't going to kiss Kayla like that again until they were further along in the relationship. Nathan knew that Kayla and Cassie had completely stolen his heart. Hearing Cassie calling for him to be her Daddy, he was losing all resolve to take things slow. He knew that he needed to establish a routine and figure things out, but at the same time the feel of Kayla's lips on his own was a memory that he couldn't forget.

"Three months." Nathan said. "Three months to establish a routine and find a way to make things work."

Nathan let out a harsh breath and stood up. He let out a sigh and headed over to Jack and Elizabeth's cabin, knowing that was where Frank would be.

… … … …