William let his mind wander back to the days of his childhood, days he had shared with Catherine and her family.  They were fond memories, of a close friendship that had grown into a comfortable but unspoken romantic love.  He truly did love Catherine but he had never told her.  He didn't want to keep her waiting once he left and it had seemed only right to keep his silence.  But now, it seemed so impossible since she haunted his dreams so often.<br/><br/>The Cartwrights and the Blakeslees had always been close, for generations uncounted.  Tenby had been founded by some common ancestry that many of the older families shared and it was that connection that kept many of them intertwined through blood, marriage and kinship.  William's father had been the town doctor for nearly fifty years and now his son was to take up the mantle, as if it had always been the natural way of things.  Now, it seemed perfectly natural to pick up where he had left off after leaving town to study aboard and once the door was opened, he was reminded of just how beautiful she truly was.<br/><br/>Catherine had blossomed into a lovely woman.  She carried the same youthful energy he had once shared when they were younger but she also possessed a feminine maturity that made his breath still in his chest.  Her light touch upon his hand made him blush furiously and he quickly cleared his throat, trying to seem less of a fool to her.  He nodded politely and touched her hand gently, his cheeks ruddy with embarrassment.<br/><br/>"I, um... Will is just fine, Catherine.  Just.. fine indeed. I'm sorry to hear your father is ill..."<br/><br/>He paused and set his bag down as he rushed to embrace her.<br/><br/>"It's so good to see you."