Upon waking up the next morning, she found her grandfather was out on a call. Getting dressed, she went downstairs and hurriedly ate her breakfast before going out to Rainbow Valley. This dear place held so many memories for her parents, her aunts and uncles, and so much romance. It was in this place that she dreamed and opened her heart. Her voice often echoed in the nooks of the seemingly magic valley. Having heard of the great stories of romance in her family, she often replayed them in hopes of recognizing romance in her own life. Her favorite story was that of her grandparents', her maternal ones in particular.

Spinning out the familiar story once again, she was about to come to the first proposal as Bruce Meredith stole into the valley. Quietly, lest he disturb her, he hid behind a large tree trunk so as not to be seen. He was well-acquainted with the story and his own life had a bit of romance in it as well. As the story came to a close, he stepped out from behind the tree, frightening Joyce who fell in the stream. After being pulled out, she could not help but wonder at Bruce's presence. The truth be told, he had been on his way up to Ingleside to visit with the doctor.

"Why, Bruce! What brings you to Rainbow Valley?" she inquired.

Bruce, having been lost in his own beautiful reverie, started and replied. Very near to this place, his parents had met and he himself had asked his wife's hand in marriage here. It seemed that all romance stemmed out of this valley.

"You are thinking of something beautiful for a smile is on your lips."

"I suppose so." He paused again grinning. "I must pay a visit to your grandfather. I'm paying a call this afternoon to dear old Mrs. Marshall Elliot and you know her thoughts about men. He always stood up well against her comments so I thought I'd seek some advice. Goodbye, Joyce."

Joyce watched him trudge up the hill recalling stories of Mrs. Elliot when she was yet Miss Cornelia. She was against men it seemed as she was against Methodists. Her grandfather truly had withstood many stings from her in his prime and she knew would be more than willing to provide assistance to Bruce.

Sighing, Joyce returned to her reverie of romance and found herself walking; walking down the valley, through the trees, and into her Uncle Walter's nook. It was silent now; few people ever walked here or even sat in thought. Her mother held this place dear for it was here that she had her last conversation with Walter. Ever since the war, she had been told of that wistful look in her mother's eye, her jaw set in a determined manner, and her authoritative way of speaking. Somehow, it was all connected to this place where sorrow and love mingled as dark and light.

All light breeze had come up sending a chill down her spine. Autumn was three weeks away for it was the beginning of September. Her soaking clothing clung to her showing off her beautiful figure. She did not want to return to Ingleside just yet for Susan would send her to bed until her parents would arrive to take her home. Home- it really was not just hers, it had its own history of romance. Every place in the Glen had romance enough for all Canada. Joyce recalled her dream and bits of conversation she had heard the previous night, they only seemed to chill her to the bone.

While she had been musing over these ideas and rumors, the sky had begun to darken. Large raindrops began to fall once again soaking her clothing which had finally begun to dry. She ran all the way back to Ingleside all the while preparing herself for a scolding from Susan. She would be furious, but would make her feel warm dry, and safe after all was said and done. Walking in the back door, she was greeted by Susan who marched her up the stairs with warm clean clothes. After crawling under the covers, Joyce found a hot water bottle waiting for her and with all the morning's excitement, she fell asleep.