A shot rang out during the prisoner transfer gone wrong, and everything was in slow motion. Nathan moved to the wagon to help the wounded Constable. When he removed the hurt Constable’s hat, the face staring back at him was Constable Jack Thornton.
Nathan’s eyes immediately shot open and he woke up in a cold sweat. This was a recurring dream he had been having for a while, but he didn’t want to burden anyone with his struggles to come to terms with losing his fellow Mounties. Nathan had initially felt responsible for the death during the prisoner transfer, and was still trying to move past the guilt of Jack replacing him at Fort Clay to train new recruits. On many occasions, he wished he had been the one to lead that mission so Elizabeth still had a husband and Jack had his father.
It was very early in the morning, and Thomas was the one on duty this weekend. Allie was sleeping over at Anna’s house, and although the sun was coming up, not many people would be awake yet. Nathan went downstairs to get a drink of water to help settle his nerves. As he took a drink, he looked out at the chopped wood that still needed to be stacked. He felt a familiar fluttering in his stomach as he remembered his first kiss with Kate. Nathan closed his eyes, the memory of that moment in his backyard replaying over and over in his mind. He could hardly believe they were in a formal relationship now.
His mind shifted back to his dream, then to his conversation with Elizabeth yesterday. Jack, I’m sorry I hurt Elizabeth. I’m trying to still be there for her and your little son Jack, Nathan tried to explain to him in his mind. Still exhausted from the week, and especially from the events that happened the day before, Nathan went back to bed and quickly fell asleep again.
__________________________________________________________
Kathryn woke up with the sun, unable to stay asleep when it was a new day full of endless possibilities. Her heart fluttered when she thought about her evening with Nathan, and she put her pillow over her face and let out a little squeal. She got out of bed and looked out the window at the sunrise over a very quiet and peaceful Hope Valley. Through the window, the light shone on her dress from last night hanging up across the room, bringing back a flood of emotions from the first kisses shared and them deciding to officially court. Sighing blissfully, Kathryn decided to get dressed and go for a walk to clear her head before it got too hot outside. She quietly went downstairs, trying not to disturb Thomas and Anne. But when she was just about ready to go out, Thomas joined her downstairs dressed for work.
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning,” Kathryn said, surprised. “I didn’t know you were working this weekend.”
“Your boyfriend didn’t mention he was taking this weekend off?” Thomas teased. “So, the two of you seemed very close last night.” He winked at her and she immediately blushed.
“I will tell you more about that with Anne at dinner tonight,” she assured him. “Right now I’m going for a walk to clear my head.”
“And I am going to go up and kiss my wife then head out on rounds. See you later, Katie.” She rolled her eyes playfully at him, as he headed back upstairs and she stepped outside.
It took everything in her not to go straight to Nathan’s house and knock on the door, but she knew he might be sleeping in on his day off and she didn’t want to disturb him. Instead she walked into town which was very quiet this early, and she went to the livery to see the horses. Newton was by far the most majestic horse in the stalls. He came right over to Kathryn to let her pet him, even nudging her with his head to show his affection. In the stall next to him, Buddy whinnied in disapproval for not getting her attention.
“Oh ok, Buddy. I’ll give you some love too.” Kathryn laughed as both horses tried to compete for her attention. She wished she could take a ride right now on Buddy, but knew it was too early to arrange that, so she would just have to ask Nathan to set it up for them to go riding again. One day she hoped to have her very own horse again like she did growing up on the farm. She turned around to leave the livery and almost ran right into Elizabeth bringing her horse Sergeant back into his stall.
“Oh, hello Elizabeth.” Kathryn wasn’t exactly sure what to say or how to act after knowing she was still in love with Nathan. “You are up early this morning to go for a ride. Your horse is so beautiful. I was just going for a walk since I was awake and it was a beautiful morning.” She knew she was rambling, something she did when she was nervous.
“Good morning Kathryn,” Elizabeth croaked, sadly. “Lee and Rosemary were watching Jack for me last night and offered to keep him overnight so I could get a morning ride in before breakfast.”
“That sounds nice.” Kathryn was having a difficult time, not knowing exactly what happened between Nathan and Elizabeth yesterday, or the past few years for that matter. She only knew a basic overview of their relationship, but not all of the little details that made the two of them so close, then torn apart. Kathryn hoped she could get Nathan to open up to her about those specifics that might help her understand better what had happened. She decided to try changing to a subject where they had common ground. “I can’t believe my summer class is halfway over. I’m so pleased with how well students have been doing with the lessons. It is obvious you prepare your students very well for their future endeavors. I must say, I am impressed by how advanced some of them are, especially Allie.” She mentally kicked herself for bringing the Grants back into the conversation.
“Yes, Allie has been beyond what I can give her in math for quite some time, which is why I set her up with the academy for the advanced course.” Elizabeth’s eyes and heart were full of sadness and regret over the loss of a once-possible daughter. “I’m honestly grateful you came to help our students progress further than I have credentials to teach. I really think they should stay in school longer so they can stay young and not have to face adult responsibilities at such a young age. It is why Nathan helped me convince Robert he wasn’t ready to join the Mounties yet. Although, he might be regretting that decision now, with Allie and Robert wanting to spend so much time together.”
Kathryn realized the history between Elizabeth and Nathan would be hard to compete with, and started feeling a little intimidated. “It sounds like you two have been wonderful public servants together here in Hope Valley, and you are training a new generation who have that desire as well. I appreciate the way you have welcomed me and been supportive of the expanding school even though I know it is not easy for you.”
“Jack built me that school,” Elizabeth reminisced. “I’m so glad they will be able to use it as a church and community building. But it just won’t be the same to have to teach in a new school building.”
“I’m so sorry, Elizabeth.” Kathryn touched Elizabeth’s arm lightly, her eyes full of compassion.
Clearing her throat to try and push away the emotion welling up in her, Elizabeth was frustrated she still couldn’t find a reason to dislike Kathryn. She was starting to see how Nathan had developed feelings for this new, very lovely school teacher. But that didn’t mean it didn’t still hurt that he had rejected her last night. She had been so upset when she went to pick up little Jack from Rosemary and Lee’s house that they had suggested keeping her son while she had some time alone to process and grieve. She had hardly slept a wink, so at first light she headed to the livery to take Sergeant for a ride to the land Jack bought for them. Riding had helped a little, but seeing Kathryn had set her back slightly again.
“I better get Sergeant taken care of and try to make it back for breakfast with my son.” Elizabeth was trying not to sound rude, but she knew keeping her emotions in check wasn’t going to last much longer.
“I should get back and check on Anne,” Kathryn said, feeling the need to remove herself from the situation. She didn’t want feeling guilty about Elizabeth to dampen her joy she felt from entering a relationship with Nathan, but she did have empathy for her. Rejection was always a hard pill to swallow. Kathryn waved and left the livery feeling a little conflicted. The sun was now fully up, and the town was starting to come alive. As she headed down the street of row houses, a group of giggling girls ran past her and she noticed Allie among them.
“Hello Miss Bradshaw,” they yelled in unison as they passed. She waved and smiled, watching them all enter Nathan’s house as she was approaching her own. Would Allie accept her as more than a teacher? They had bonded a few times, but she knew Nathan was nervous about putting Allie in the middle of another relationship and she didn’t blame either of them. Letting out a huge sigh, she stepped into the house to find Anne in the kitchen looking for something to eat.
“Anne, you should be taking it easy, especially after going out last night.” Kathryn went and ushered Anne over to sit in a comfortable chair and put her feet up on the foot rest. “I will make us breakfast. You just relax.”
“How about you tell me all about your date with Nathan while you cook,” Anne suggested. “I need some good girl talk to get my mind off how uncomfortable and miserable I feel.”
“Well, I was going to wait and tell you and Thomas together at dinner, but I’m feeling like I need to talk to someone about all this right now. Especially since I just had a very awkward conversation with Elizabeth Thornton at the livery.”
“See, now this is the kind of excitement I need in my life right now. You need to start right when Thomas and I left for our date, and don’t leave anything out.” Anne sat up straighter, anticipating a good romantic story.
“I probably won’t divulge all the details,” Kathryn admitted. “But it would be nice to get another woman’s opinion on the situation, without having to get teased by my big brother. Here goes. So, I finished getting dinner ready and then got dressed and waited, but Nathan never showed up. It isn’t like him to be late, and I knew he had gotten off work in time to be here. I got worried when it was almost quarter after seven, and I went to Nathan’s house to check on him.” Kathryn felt color rising up her neck, landing on her face. “Um, so when I got to his house he was out chopping wood and had forgotten about dinner because Elizabeth caught him on his way home and told him she was still in love with him.”
Anne sat with her mouth open, trying to take in all the new information. “Wow, that had to have been a lot for him to process since he’s spent almost a year trying to get over her. I’m assuming from what I saw in this very room last night that he said, ‘Too bad, because I am head over heels for the new school teacher?’”
Kathryn shook her head and chuckled. “I’m sure he put it in a much nicer way, but he did tell her he wanted to give a relationship with me a chance.”
“Wait, so let’s get back to this wood chopping part,” Anne blurted out. “Was he in his Henley and suspenders going at it all manly like? Because the first time I saw Thomas that way, sweat dripping down his muscular frame...I was a complete goner.” She fanned herself with the book sitting on the end table.
“I could have done without that description of my brother,” Kathryn complained. “But yes, that would be pretty accurate what I witnessed in his backyard. Then…” her voice trailed off as she got lost in the recollection.
“He kissed you, didn’t he? I knew it! I could totally see it on your face, but now that I hear the circumstances surrounding it, I am not at all surprised. I’m telling you, those Mounties have a way of driving you crazy doing something as simple as chopping wood. So, are you official now then?” Anne was getting so excited, Kathryn worried she might go into labor right then and there.
“Yes, we kissed last night...twice. Once in his yard, the most blissful moment of my life so far, and the second was a sweet goodbye kiss before he left here.” Kathryn had to sit down in the middle of cooking so she didn’t fall over from being weak in the knees once again with the remembrance of all that happened. “He asked me to officially court him, and I said yes.”
“Wow!” Anne exclaimed. “That dress really must have done something to him! But in all seriousness, I’m so happy for you both!”
“Thank you, I almost have to pinch myself that Nathan Grant wants to be in a formal relationship with me. He is so wonderful,” Kathryn sighed, then got up to finish cooking breakfast. When the food was ready and on the table, the two of them sat down and enjoyed the meal together, giggling like little girls about their Mounties and being in love.
At the Grant house, Nathan was suddenly jarred awake by the slamming of the front door, followed by boisterous laughter and teenage girl voices all talking over each other. He must have slept in a little longer than he had planned to, so he hopped up and pulled on some clothes and tried to smooth his hair so he could go greet Allie and her gang of girls. Everyone stopped and stared when he walked down the stairs.
“Did we wake you up, Dad?” Allie asked. “I’m sorry, you are always up before now. We were just walking everyone home and making plans for next weekend when our summer class is over and we can celebrate. We are planning a big party and wanted to know if you can help chaperone. We are thinking of having a dance, so we can have all the boys and girls in our class come with refreshments and everything. What do you think?”
“Where are you planning on holding this event?” Nathan wondered, trying to suppress a yawn.
“Mr. Bouchard said we could have it at the Saloon, and all the parents are helping out with providing refreshments and decorations. All we need from you is for you to chaperone, and we figured since you are a Mountie you would be the perfect person to ask. You can even bring a date,” Allie added, nudging him with her elbow.
That comment caught him off guard, but he hid any reaction and just answered her instead. “I think I can handle that assignment. Did you already eat breakfast, or do you want me to make you something?”
“We ate,” Allie informed him. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. We just have one more house to go to and then I’ll be right back.”
Nathan immediately wondered if Kate would want to go help at the party or dance or whatever event the kids had conjured up for next week. Nothing like getting our relationship out there to everyone all at once, he thought. His stomach growling got him moving to make himself breakfast before Allie got back. He knew the first thing he needed to do was talk to her about the changes between himself and Miss Kathryn Bradshaw.
Allie came home as he was washing his dishes, and declared herself completely worn out and needing to take a nap. But first she went over to help Nathan dry his few dishes and talk about her evening. “First the boys tried to crash our party when we were outside playing games. But we told them it was only girls allowed at this party, and that’s how we came up with the idea to have a big summer break party with a dance and everything for both boys and girls.”
Inside Nathan was thinking Great, that just sounds fantastic to have Allie wanting to dance with boys...or a specific boy. But he kept that to himself and just said, “I’m sure that will be fun for everyone, and it’s probably good I’m going to be there keeping watch over a certain young man who probably will want to dance with you all night.”
“Dad, I do like Robert, but he’s not the only boy I’ll dance with all night. We are going to have games and food too.” They finished up the dishes and moved over into the living room to sit down and finish talking. “I’m more interested in what is going on with your love life. How was your date with Miss Bradshaw?”
“That’s what I was going to talk to you about. Last night was kind of interesting, and I told you that when things did progress with Kathryn I would let you know so you could decide how involved you wanted to be.”
“Oooooh, did you kiss her finally?” Allie batted her eyes and puckered her lips. Nathan turned a deep shade of red and she got her answer. “Way to go, Dad! I was beginning to wonder when you would finally make your move.”
Nathan shook his head and tried to calm his racing heart from thinking about kissing Kate. “Listen, I just wanted to tell you that I asked her to officially start courting and she said yes. I just want you to know that we aren’t going to force you into the middle of our relationship or make you spend time with us unless you decide that is what you want to do. We make all major family decisions together. You are still the most important girl in my life, you know that don’t you?”
Getting serious for a minute, Allie nodded. “I know. But Dad, you deserve to be happy. I’ve never seen you look this way before, so I fully support you in this next step. I think right now I just want to be Miss Bradshaw’s student. When summer class is over, maybe we can try doing something with the three of us. I also really like spending time with Constable and Mrs. Bradshaw as well. Maybe we can have dinner all together with them again sometime.”
“I’m impressed with how mature you have handled what has been thrown at us lately,” Nathan expressed. “I’m glad you know your limits now and I am completely supportive of whatever you decide. Just having your blessing is all I could ever ask for or need.” He moved over to sit next to Allie, giving her a big hug and kiss on the head. “Now, you go take a nap. Experience tells me you didn’t get a whole lot of sleep with your friends last night.”
Allie yawned and responded, “You know us too well. Thanks for letting me know about you and Miss Bradshaw. It will still take me some time to get used to the idea, but I know you will make the right decisions. I can barely keep my eyes open, but can we go riding later? Buddy needs to get out of his stall more often, and Newton probably needs some exercise today.”
“That sounds great. I have some things to work on while you sleep,” Nathan explained. “Maybe we can take some food with us to one of the upper ponds and picnic while we fish for a while, just the two of us.”
“Really? That would be awesome. I saw Mrs. Bradshaw heading back home early this morning. I wonder why she was in town so early. Anyway, goodnight.” Allie walked up to her room and went to bed for a much-needed nap.
Nathan was intrigued that Kate had been out so early, but tried to focus on the chores he needed to finish before he and Allie could go on their impromptu fishing trip and picnic. Looking out back, he remembered the chopped logs that needed stacking. He pulled on his boots and went out to get to work. He stacked the wood and cleaned up the yard, trying not to get distracted thinking about a beautiful woman in a lovely off-white dress with lace accents. When he was finished in the yard he decided to go pick up some supplies from the Mercantile. He went inside and cleaned up the best he could, then wrote a note telling Allie where he was in case she woke up.
Ned welcomed him at the Mercantile and engaged him in small talk. He asked if Nathan needed any help, but he declined since he just had a short list of things to buy. While finishing up his shopping, Nathan heard Ned’s bell ring and casually looked over to see who came in the door. His heart stopped when he saw Elizabeth. She didn’t notice him at first, as she went straight to Ned and exchanged pleasantries before turning her attention to her shopping list.
Elizabeth immediately saw Nathan when she turned toward the store shelves to begin her shopping. Resisting the urge to run away, she gave him her most convincing smile and moved over to talk to him. “Hello, Nathan. How is your Saturday going?” She hoped the hurt she felt wasn’t written all over her face, but felt extremely emotional and wasn’t sure she was hiding it well at all.
“Good morning Elizabeth,” Nathan replied. “I’m just running errands while Allie is napping after having a sleepover. You know how little those girls actually ever sleep at those things.” He chuckled at the memory of Elizabeth helping the girls decorate cupcakes at the first sleepover Allie hosted at their house all those years ago.
Elizabeth remembered all too well how Nathan felt about the sleepovers Allie had with her friends, and a flash of putting icing on his nose during that first slumber party at his house went through her mind. “I remember,” she whispered. “I need to hurry and get back to little Jack, but tell Allie hello for me.”
“I will,” he promised. “I’m just so sorry if I hurt you yesterday. That wasn’t my intention at all, and I’ve been sick wondering if you were alright.”
“I will be.” Elizabeth wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold it together, so she started putting items from her list into her basket.
Nathan felt his heart breaking for her, and not wanting to cause her more pain, went and paid for the items he already had and quickly left the Mercantile to head home. He shifted his thoughts to happier things as he walked. He was really excited to spend some one-on-one time with Allie this afternoon, knowing he needed to make sure Allie didn’t feel replaced or less important than the new woman in his life. Being so deep in thought, he almost missed seeing Kate sitting on the steps of her porch watching him walk by.
“Hello there, handsome,” Kathryn asserted as Nathan walked over to her. “I think a man with a basket has a certain appeal to him.”
“Hello yourself, beautiful. I think baskets can be very manly, can’t they?” Both of them started laughing, basking in this new and flirtatious stage of their relationship. “How did you sleep?”
“Let’s just say it was difficult after the excitement of last night,” she conceded. “I was up with the sun.”
“I was up with the sun too, but ended up going back to sleep until Allie and her friends gave me a rude awakening.” Nathan set his basket down on the Bradshaw’s porch so his hands were free to hold Kate’s. He could never get over the way her looks affected him, and today she wore the yellow dress from the first time he ever saw her in the boarding house dining hall. It was amazing how he felt something for her the first time they met, but he had no clue he would fall for her like he had.
“I remember this dress, and how I felt the first time I saw you. I feel like there were greater forces at work that have brought us together.” He pulled her closer to him and moved his hands behind her back.
Feeling too exposed in the front of the house, Kathryn took him by the hand and led him to the back where they couldn’t be seen. “I know we aren’t keeping our relationship a secret, but I’m still not ready for it to be on full display. That first time I saw you, I could barely breathe. I never would have dreamed we would be together like this, but I’m grateful you were brought into my life. I can’t remember a time I ever felt this happy.” She let him draw her closer again, and moved her hands up to the back of his hair. Looking at the pile of wood next to them, Kathryn couldn’t help but think about what Anne had said about how attractive sweaty Mounties in Henley’s and suspenders were chopping wood. Darn you, Anne, she thought, trying not to giggle.
Nathan looked curiously at Kate, who looked amused. “What’s so funny?” he asked, wanting to know everything she was thinking.
“Just something Anne said earlier about Mounties and chopping wood. Girl talk.” This time she couldn’t help but snicker a bit, but as her eyes caught Nathan's, her pulse raced and the only thing she could think about was being close to him. She pulled his head down and planted a kiss right on his lips.
Nathan didn’t expect Kate to initiate a kiss, but the minute their lips met he pulled her closer, his hands smoothing her hair and resting on her back. It was brief this time, and Kate looked a bit embarrassed for having been so forward. She couldn’t meet his eyes in that moment so she put her head on his chest and they just held each other for several moments. “I could stay like this forever,” he murmured. “Unfortunately, I have a lot to do before I take Allie riding up to fish and have a picnic together.”
Kathryn regained her composure and smiled up at him. “One of the things I admire so much about you is the special relationship you have with Allie. She needs that time with you. I had already planned to have dinner with Thomas and Anne tonight, so go enjoy the day with your daughter.”
Nathan kissed her head and held her hand as they walked back to the front of the house to retrieve his manly basket full of goods from the Mercantile. “I’ll see you soon, Kate.” He gave her a crooked smile as he walked the short distance home.
Kathryn wondered if this effect he had on her would ever go away. She watched him go home and sat back down on the porch steps to gain the strength to walk up them and into the house. Suddenly feeling tired from her lack of sleep, she decided to attempt getting some rest before making dinner for Thomas and Anne. All she knew was that her life had been made much sweeter with Nathan Grant in it, and she couldn’t wait for what their future held.
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