It has been some time since I have updated, mainly because school is back in session so I don't have a lot of free time now. So enjoy the chapter while you can because there is not much left.

The next four days with the Fontaines were so much fun for Link that for the first time in weeks he didn't miss the company of his own family. They all wrote to him, from Aryl to his grandmother, and he answered every letter, but since moving from Labrynna he'd missed them with an intensity that surprised him. However, he recognized the strong cathartic his letters to them had become. In this missive he wrote his every thought and feeling.

Only Blossom Fontaine had been in contact with his family since he moved to Hyruel, so it was ironic that this mother received new of Zelda's blindness just days before Link wrote to her himself. His father had been the one to write back to Link, and the young school teacher had been surprised to hear what the other man dad to say. He encouraged his son never to pity Zelda, even if she felt sorry for herself. Link knew this advice stemmed from the fact that his father was still not up and walking, and might never be, but his life at him, in the mill, and amid their church family was full and fruitful.

Now Link could see that Zelda was on the same track. She went everywhere with her family and asked dozens of questions about the places they visited. It was such a turnaround from the girl who left Kakariko Village. It was a wondrous thing to watch God take hold of a life. Bipin saw Zelda's changes as ell but would not admit to himself that God was at the root.

Richard had made a point of inviting the family to visit his ranch before they left, and it was during that time that Zelda was able to have a few words with her father.

They were outside the house, walking next to the closest corral.

"You're doing so well," he commented when they had a few moments alone. He stopped by the fence, and Zelda's hands came to rest on it.

"Yes," Zelda smiled. "It's amazing what a humble heart can hear."

"What do you mean?"

Zelda's head turned to him. She could feel his gaze. "My pried has been so big. I heard all the right things but didn't want to listen."

Had Zelda had her sight, she'd have seen Bipin's look become shuttered. He knew exactly what she was talking about, but since her accident, he'd become more certain than ever that he must take care of his family and himself on his own. The silence spoke volumes to Zelda.

"Please keep you heart open, Father," she whispered.

"All right," Bipin agreed but only because he didn't want to hurt her. His head tipped back and he looked into the bluest sky he had ever seen. It seemed to stretch for miles without a cloud in sight. He then looked at Zelda. She would never see the sky again. His heart cramped, and he wanted to ask how she could trust God at all after what had happened. At the same time he knew it would be the worst thing he could say. A moment later they were joined by the others.

(&)

The week passed way too swiftly for everyone, and it was a painful goodbye that was made on Thursday morning. It helped to have Link come and teach Zelda, but he could see that she was down.

"I think we need to get outside today."

"All right." Zelda stood and waited for further orders, but Link didn't say anything, so Zelda asked, "Front yard or back?"

"Hmmm," he said thoughtfully. "Let's start in the front."

Zelda didn't know what he meant by "start," but she moved from the study to the front door, Link following in her wake.

Link knew she could navigate the steps on her own, but the new friendship that existed between them make him think he could offer is arm. He did so, and Zelda took it, holding on even with they'd reach the bottom. Link had planned to hand her leaves and wildflowers and ask her to identify them, but Zelda spoke as they walked through the grass.

"School begins Monday."

"Yes."

"Excited?"

Zelda felt his arm tighten, but he said only, "Yes."

She laughed softly. "I think you're more than excited; I think you're ecstatic."

Link laughed as well.

"Tell me about the schoolhouse," Zelda begged quietly.

Link came to an abrupt halt. "Why don't I show you?"

"The schoolhouse?"
"Yes. I'm sure Malon would let us use the buggy; in fact, she might want to go with us."

Zelda was surprised at how swiftly events in the next few minutes transpired. Within 15 minutes Malon had said she would love to go, and the three of them were in the buggy headed through the middle of town to the school.

It was a scorching-hot August 31, and even though everything was in darkness for her, Zelda kept the brim of her bonnet pulled low over her face. By the time they arrived, sweat had begun to prickle down her neck.

"Here we go." Link's voice came to her, and Zelda put her hand out. Making it seem quiet natural, Link kept her hand in his own long after she was down from the wagon. Zelda loved it, but the action distracted her so much that she nearly tripped.

"Easy." Link's voice was close to her ear. "Here are the steps."

"How many?"

"Let's see. Eight."

Zelda began to count, but Link still held on. In fact, he never let go. He showed her the spacious schoolroom, that wall at the front that was all blackboards, the neat rows of desks, and the woodstove that would not be needed for many weeks yet. The whole room smelled faintly of chalk, and Zelda could tell by just moving in Link's grasp that it was larger than the one in Kakariko Village.

"What color is it?"
"Off-white, I guess."

"And the wood; is it oak?"
"My desk it, but the children's desks might be an ash."

"Come over here, Zelda," Malon called to her. "Feel the size of these windows. They line both the side walls and give the most wonderful light."
Link led her over and dropped her hand to reach around her, putting her very nicely into his arms, in order to open the wood framed glass. A hot wind instantly blew onto Zelda's front, but she hardly noticed. At the moment all she could feel were Link's arms around her, and he was no longer ever there. Zelda put a hand to her heaving chest and tried to divert her attention. If she wasn't careful she was going to grab the man and kiss him.

"What was the verse you read to me last night, Malon? Something about the fields being white unto harvest?"
"Yes. That was what Jesus said to the disciples after He'd spoken to the woman at he well. What made you think of that?"

It never occurred to her that Malon would ask that. She gave a shaky laugh.

"Maybe Link will harvest his students."

As if she'd asked him to, he took her hand once again.

"Come stand at the front where I'll be teaching."

He helped her step up to the place and left her standing so he could take a seat at the back.

"I'm in a rear seat, Zelda. Malon's at the front."

"Okay. How close am I to the edge of the dais?"

"About 18 inches," Malon told her, and Zelda took a few steps to the left and then to the right.

"I'll have no talking in this class." Zelda tried for a stern tone but found herself far too amusing. "do you hear me, children? I can be very nasty if you force me to be."

"You're nearing the edge now, Zelda," Link called to her.

"You're nearing the edge, Miss Fontaine." Zelda corrected him. Malon laughed.

"I'm getting hot," the expectant mother complained. "Let's go back into town and see if the hotel has anything cold to drink."

"It's a little early, but I would treat for lunch if anyone is hungry."
"Why, thank you, Link," Malon told him with a smile, watching as he went to get Zelda. Her eyes misted at the tender way he pulled her arm through his, and then at Zelda's sure step with Link leading her.

Please, Lord, she prayed as she had done so often of late. Please help them to find a way. What does a man do with a blind wife? I honestly don't know, but, Lord, I want them to have each other, and I just know You can find a way.

Link had already taken Zelda to the buggy and was now waiting to shut the door. Malon's heart was still at prayer as she thanked him and climbed in beside her sister, but it wasn't until the middle of lunch that she realized she herself cold be part of the answer.

(&)

"Thank you, Link," Zelda told him later that day.

"For what?"

"For taking me to the school." She knew he would be heading for home soon and didn't want him to leave before she could express herself.

"You're more than welcome. I can hardly believe it's only two day away. Now that you've been there, you can picture me teaching and pray for me."

"I'll do that," she promised.

Link asked her to turn to a page in a new book he had found for her, but Zelda just sat still.

"We'll always be friends, won't we, Link?"
"Yes, we will," he told her without hesitation. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just so hard when you can't see a person's eyes." She tried to laugh, but couldn't quiet pull it off. "I mean, you could be looking daggers through me, and I wouldn't even know it."

"Does it sound like I'm looking daggers through you?" he asked gently.

"No," she admitted. "but I do wonder what you look like now."

"Why don't you go ahead and see?"
Zelda tensed. Did he mean what she thought he meant?

"Here," he said. Her fears were confirmed. "Put you hands on my face and see."

Link picked up her soft hands and laid them on his cheeks. His face beginning to feel prickly from not shaving since the morning. Zelda held her breath. The temptation to forget who he was and who she was was overwhelming, so without allowing her hands to "see" him at all, she put them back in her lap.

"I can't do that, Link."

"Why not?" his voice was low, intimate.

"Because we're not married."

The silence that followed lasted only a moment.

"Well, maybe we should be."

Zelda couldn't breath. Her mouth had gone to dust and she felt frozen to the sofa. She heard Link move.

"I guess I'd better be on my way, Zelda. I'll see you on Sunday.
With that, he kissed her cheek and walked from the study. The sound of his steps was long gone before Zelda realized she hadn't uttered a word.

"Keep an eye on her," Link said softly to Malon as he moved for the front door.

"Why? Did something happen?"

"I hope so," was all he said before smiling contentedly and bedding her goodbye.

Malon stared at the closed portal and then back toward the direction of the study. She bit her lip with excitement. She had been reporting the day's events and making plans with Lulu since they returned form town. She now had more to add.

(&)

Pastor Rauru had finished his sermon, and the folks of the small congregation were rising to fellowship. The elderly pastor was working his way through the book of Genesis, and there was much discussion on the respective roles of husbands and wives. The sermon was positive and exciting to all but a few. Ralph and Malon were still seated and enthusiastically discussing it when Link approached. The room was too noisy for Zelda to tell that someone had neared.

"Zelda," Malon said, not thinking of the noise. "Why don't you ask Link to dinner at noon?"

"Oh, well," Zelda replied uncertainly, not realizing she was being watched. "He probably ahs plans."
"No, I don't." Link had come up behind their pew and leaned over, his face near hers. Zelda started, but he only smiled. He waited, but she said nothing.

"Well?" He was closer than she realized. "Are you going to ask me?"

Zelda's hand fluttered nervously around her bare neck, and she wished that Malon had not offered to put her hair up. She was silent for many seconds, her eyes searching the air. "I'm sure you have plans for today, don't you, Link?"

"I'm not doing a thing."

Again her hand fluttered, this time around her ear he had spoken into. "Would you like to come for Sunday dinner?"

"I'd love to," he said, so low that Zelda melted.

Malon and Ralph watched with unabashed curiosity as Zelda's face went a bright pink. Malon could only assume that Link was joining them for Sunday dinner as she couldn't hear a word he was saying. If Zelda's face was any indication, the news was good, but Malon forced herself not to ask.

The church was swiftly clearing, and Zelda left with the Langley's. However, Link was near to help her into the buggy and to remind her that he would see her shortly. Malon noticed that she blushed all the way home.

We have two chapter left and a lady pregnant, now I would like to start a little pool on the baby. First what is the sex of the baby and second what is the name going to be. I will post the results at the time of the last chapter post.