Nick hesitated at the threshold of his bedroom. After patting his pocket, he breathed a sigh of relief at the box still located within. He liked plans. He liked to be in control. Yet, as he glanced at his watch, he felt a knot form in his stomach. Somehow, he knew that things would definitely not be going to plan. Then again, that had been the story since Betsy had arrived in his life. She had come in and torn up the rule book. He was richer for it - even if it didn't go against the grain more often than not. 

"Are you ready to go, son?" Nick's father-in-law asked, striding up and patting him on the shoulder.

Swallowing, Nick nodded. "I am."

"Try and enjoy yourselves. I know this week has been tough for everyone but we'll take good care of the kids for you. And that new housekeeper of yours has promised to stick around and help with the baking."

"Good. Good." Nick muttered absently. Keys. Phone. Picnic basket is in the car. "Sorry, what was that?"

Greg just laughed and clapped the younger man on the shoulder. "You don't have to be nervous. You are both head over heels for each other."

Nick tried to smile but it felt like a grimace. Was it too warm in here? He tugged at the collar of his shirt and tried to ignore the sweat forming on his brow. It was just Betsy. And that was the problem. It was Betsy. She was everything and the thought of doing something wrong. The thought of scaring her off was just too much.

"Nicholas, you don't need to worry. She'll say yes." Greg said, using his hand on Nick's shoulder to guide him out of the door. "And Carol and I have been talking. If you do decide to get married, we would be okay with your girl adopting Tommy and Delilah. Francesca would have wanted that. My daughter had a big heart and she would have wanted those kids to have a family."

Nick's heart thudded in his chest and his throat suddenly felt tight. "Thank you, Greg." He choked out. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"I do. And I know how much it would mean to those kids too." He cleared his throat loudly. "Now, enough of this chat. She'll be waiting for you."

As they paused at the top of the stairs, Nick smiled at the woman waiting for him below. Betsy's hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, several loose strands framing her face.  Her skin was free of make up and her clothing was warm and practical. At the sound of his approach, she glanced up towards him. 

Then she smiled. 

Just smiled and Nick was knocked breathless for a moment. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. 

Hurrying down the stairs, leaving his father in law in his wake, Nick pulled her into his arms and pressed an urgent kiss to her lips. Her hands grasped at his arms as she fought for balance. Her favourite perfume surrounded him and he held her close. Yet, despite wanting to deepen the kiss, he was all too aware of the eyes watching over them.

As they parted, Betsy sighed and tilted her forehead against his chest. "Hello to you too. That was some greeting - not that I am complaining."

"I missed you this morning." Nick replied, reaching down and tilting her head upwards so that he could stare into her eyes.

"You're getting sappy in your old age." Betsy nodded sagely before a chuckle escaped her lips at the indignant expression which appeared and disappeared from his face in the blink of an eye.

"You'll get pay back for that later."

Shaking her head, Nick's were wholly focused on her lips as they pulled up into a wicked smile. "Promises promises."

Turning away, Nick waved up at his father-in-law and hastily drew Betsy out of the house. As accepting as his in-laws were of his new relationship, ravishing Betsy in front of them was a line even he would not cross.

A short drive later found him turning his car off of the main road and onto his private property. Nick rolled down his window as he pulled up at the newly installed check point. One of his security peered out of the doorway before offering a wide grin.

"Good afternoon, sir."

Nick nodded in reply, "Good afternoon. Any problems?"

"No sir, all quiet up here." The man replied, scratching at his dark beard, flecked with strands of grey. "We sent the undesirables on a goose chase by driving a full security detail into the city. They took the bait."

"Good to hear."

The guard nodded his head in response before hurrying to open the large wooden gate. Within moments, Nick was cruising past the smiling man feeling lighter than he had in a while. It hurt to bring security out to his haven. Yet, if it would afford him some safety and privacy, it was a sacrifice he would make.

Betsy sighed from the passenger seat. "I've missed this place."

Nick had too. An all too familiar barn appeared before them, the painted red boards bright in the afternoon sun. This was where they had shared their first date. And while they had been back since then, the place was special. It was one of the few places which remained untainted by his previous housekeeper and the media.

Parking the car just off to the side, Nick glanced in the rear view mirror in time to watch their security detail veer left towards the main farmhouse. Nodding his head, he glanced over at the woman beside him. She was leaning forwards, peering up at the barn through the windscreen. The lines of strain, which so often clouded her features, were gone.

"Please tell me we are going riding?" Betsy breathed, dragging her eyes from the barn to settle upon his.

"I see how it is, you just want me for my horses."

"Well, they are pretty great." Betsy replied, before leaning forwards and placing a lingering kiss on his lips. "But that's not the only reason I keep you around."

"Oh really," Nick said with both eyebrows raised, his mind instantly thinking back to the activities they had been pre-occupied with during the early hours of the morning.

"I keep you around for the kids too." Betsy said flatly. "And don't forget the ridiculous fortune. You're just a side benefit."

"Side benefit?" Nick leaned forwards and captured her lips in a brief steamy kiss full of promise. "I can live with that. Just know that I keep you around entirely for you."

She sucked in a sharp breath and as he pulled away, her lashes fluttered rapidly as she blinked back tears. "Nick."

In response, he simply picked up her hand and brushed his lips against the soft skin on the back of her hand . She offered him a watery smile. Then, with a shake of her head, she pulled her hand away and opened the car door.

Nick copied her actions, turning off the engine and clambering from the vehicle. Betsy was already bouncing towards the open barn door by the time his feet touched the gravel, a wide smile on her lips and a lightness he only ever saw around the children.

"Did you miss me? You did, didn't you?" Betsy cooed, moving up to the first stall. A stallion butted his nose into her hand. She scratches his nose lightly, earning her a snort in response. "Not so big and scary, are you? You're just a big softie."

"You definitely have a way with animals. I don't think I've ever seen him act this with anyone else. Even me."

"Are you getting jealous that Warrior loves me more?"

Nick's lips twitched upwards. "Maybe."

In her distraction, Nick's stallion butted his nose into the side of Betsy's face before snuffling at her hair.

"Enough of that you," she squealed in response, taking a step out of the eager horse's reach. "If you keep that up, there will be no more scratches. Okay?"

In response to her words, his prized stallion gave a mournful whinny. If he had been human, the damned beast would have been pouting. Nick stepped close and reached up to scratch the spot on the stallion's nose he knew he liked.

"Go and greet the others, I know you want to." Nick said after a moment, watching his partner edge her way towards the next store with as much stealth as his son on a sugar high. "I'll grab the tack and then we can get out of here."

"Can I help?"

Heading into the small room down the end, Nick grabbed all of the essentials before hurrying back to her side. "Not today. I want you to relax," he stated, before nodding his head towards the stallion that was snuffling at the top of her head once more. "Besides, he obviously in one of his moods today."

To iterate the point, his horse grasped the bottom of Betsy's t-shirt and tugged her closer. He then slumped his head on to her shoulder and gave a pitiful whinny.

"Oh, all right," she capitulated, a wide smile on her lips as she gave the pouting horse another scratch. "But only because he's such a troublemaker. Next time I want to help."

Minutes later, they were leading a pair of horses outside. They paused just outside of the barn doors, Nick's hands quickly pulling and tugging on various straps to ensure it was all secure.

"Did you want a hand up this time, or do you think you can manage by yourself?"

Betsy chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. "I think I'll try it by myself. Although you'll be there to catch me? Right?"

Nick nodded his head, "Of course. I'll always be there to catch you."

"Wow, that was pure cheese." Betsy laughed, turning her attention to the horse before her. She smoothed her hands over the horse's neck in a soothing gesture.

"I know. But you love it."

"I kind of do."

Betsy pushed up on the stirrup, her hand gripping tightly on to the front of the saddle. She couldn't quite swing her leg over the back of the horse and all too quickly gravity seemed intent on dragging her back down. Warm hands closed around her before she could topple backwards. One hand rested upon her waist but the other pushed against her bum. Betsy squeaked. Nick waggled his brows as she turned to look at him. Using the support to finally drag her leg over and seat herself firmly in the saddle.

"You enjoyed that far too much." She accused as he swiftly hoisted himself up into his own saddle.

"Maybe," He replied, reaching out to take her reigns. He clicked his tongue and the horses set into a gentle trot.

They followed a well-worn trail around the land. Nick felt all of his stress and worries melt away as he led the horses through the familiar surroundings. And then there was Betsy. Her enthusiasm and delight was infectious. Before too long Nick was laughing and having to grip onto the saddle horn to stop himself from sliding off of his seat.

As they made it around the tree line, Betsy gasped. Her blonde hair whipped across her face as she gave him an incredulous look.

"What is this?"

On their last visit, the area before them has been an expanse of stone covered, uneven land. It had been wild and untouched. Now, there stood a beautiful brick built house in the middle of the wildflowers. The front garden was still a patch of mud and tire tracks. Yet, in her head, Betsy could see it already. The colours.  She could even imagine the scent of bright blooming flowers floating in through the windows.

The house was half the size of the Davenport Estate but she could still fit her rental cottage within it several times over. And yet, despite its size, it looked like a home. It wasn't some sprawling estate where a person could go days without bumping into another person.

Nick slid from his saddle and then gently lifted Betsy from her saddle. Her hands settled on his shoulders, her gaze curious as he slowly lowered her to the floor. Her hands lingered, her head tilted back so that she was peering up at him through her lashes.

"Tell me what's going on."

"Do you like the house?" Nick asked, his fingers releasing from her waist to brush the curls off of her face.

"Of course I do. It's beautiful."

Nick nodded, "Good. Because it's yours. Well, ours. Yours. Mine. The kids. If you wanted it that is."

Betsy was still in his arms, her eyes glancing between the house and him in utter confusion. "What? Why? You have a house already."

"Exactly. I have a house but not a home." Nick replied, before glancing down at the work in progress. "I don't think Davenport Estate could ever be my home again, especially after what happened to you. And I don't think you will truly be content their either."

"It's fine."

"But I want you to be more than fine. We've been through so much together and I think we all need this fresh start. I love you, Elizabeth Jones and I want a home with you." Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flat box before pressing it gently into her hands. "Move in with me?"

Shakily, Betsy lifted the lid and stared at the brand new shiny key nestled without the tissue paper. She drew in a deep breath. Nick's stomach lurched. Had he misread where things were going? Was it too soon?

Before he could over think the situation any further, his breath whooshed out of his as Betsy threw herself at him. Her hands took firm hold of his face, pulling him down so that he was on her level. The key bit into his face as she kissed him. The sharp sting was lost amongst the warmth of her mouth on his. 

"Yes. Yes. A million times yes." Betsy muttered between kisses. "And this is the next step not a fresh start. Everything we've been through has brought us together. The first time you brought me here, you healed something within me I thought was broken."

Nick shook his head. "I- what did I do?"

"You were just did what you always do. You made me feel beautiful and cherished."

"I didn't do anything special then." Nick stated, his arms keeping her firmly within his hold. "I only gave you what you deserve."

"How did I get so lucky?"

"You tripped over a suitcase and into my life."

Before she could splutter a response, Nick leaned down and kissed her softly until she could barely remember her own name. And that was just fine with her.