Author's Note: I am responding to a question regarding Winnie's age. This story is based on the book, where Winnie is almost eleven when she meets the Tucks. It is only in the movie that she is fifteen. If you notice the way Winnie thinks about Jesse, her memories do not involve romance at all, only the promise of it should she decide to drink the water and return to him. Just so you know, the book is definitely worth reading and I would suggest running to your nearest bookstore or library if you haven't read it. It may not have the romance the movie does, but that is why I am here writing this story! Anyway, thanks to all who have reviewed. Notice the long chapter? Things are getting interesting…

Chapter Eighteen: Jeremiah

Winnie stiffened when she heard the grass crunching only yards away from where she lay. Her heart hammered in her chest like a bass drum and she held her breath, afraid even the slightest noise would alert the being to her presence. The crunching sound got louder as the footsteps got closer. Winnie clenched her eyes shut and prayed that whoever it was would not discover her. Her entire body trembled when the footsteps stopped inches from her arm.

"Well, I'll be," the form whispered, his voice deep and gentle, with a slight southern twang. Winnie's eyes popped open to see a man hovering above her. Her first thought was to scream or run away, but that didn't seem to be an option at this point. He must have seen fear in her eyes because he suddenly took a step backwards. "No, it's all right. I won't hurt you. I promise."

Winnie sat up hesitantly, her eyes never leaving the man. He was in his early twenties with sand-colored hair and bright eyes whose color she could not identify in the darkness. He wore a pair of dusty brown trousers and a tan jacket that had seen better days. His knapsack, which was very similar to her own, lay at the ground beneath his feet. She rose from the ground and dusted off her crumpled dress.

"Are you okay? Is there anything you need?" The man seemed to speak in earnest, but Winnie could not be sure. Her eyes met his, but she didn't try to close the distance between them.

"No, I'll be fine." Her throat creaked from dryness, and she cleared it loudly. It didn't help.

The man noticed the strangeness in her voice and reached for his knapsack. Winnie's body went rigid again, but she relaxed when she saw that he had only removed a canteen. He held it out for her. "Take it," he said. "I can tell that you're thirsty."

Winnie's fingers shook when she reached for the bottle, but she didn't hesitate to take a large gulp. Oh, water had never tasted so good! The clear liquid ran down her throat like a cold fire, extinguishing the harsh dryness that caused her voice to crack. When she finally stopped to take a breath, she noticed that half of the water was gone. Blushing, she handed the canteen back to the man. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I…I didn't mean to drink so much."

He laughed. "Don't worry, I have another in my bag. Would you like more?"

Winnie cocked her head. "Who are you?"

"A messenger of God."

"What?"

The man smiled. "I'm Jeremiah."

Winnie didn't know what to say to this. "My name is Winnie."

"Well, it is certainly a pleasure to meet you, Winnie." He paused and took note of her rumpled dress and dirty hair. "I'm sorry if I am being rude, but may I ask why you are lying in the middle of a field?"

Winnie blushed again, but refused to be embarrassed. "I am traveling and there are no towns anywhere near here."

"Which direction are you heading?"

"I was in Johannesburg yesterday. I'm going east."

Jeremiah's eyes lit up. "That's where I'm headed. I'm meeting a good friend in Patterson. I can go with you if you like. Is that the town you were trying to find?"

"Well, I didn't know what it was called, but if that is the next town to the east, then, yes."

"Well, don't worry. I estimate that it's only about twelve or thirteen more miles from here."

Winnie's eyes grew large. "Twelve or thirteen miles?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Winnie shook her head without thinking. "No, I can't do that. I can't walk that far." She stared at her feet, which were still sore from the walking she had done the day before. Jeremiah realized her problem.

"You don't have any shoes?"

"No, I do, but they aren't good for walking." She pointed to the ground beside her, where her shoes lay after being discarded the night before.

"I see. Well, I guess you can't wear those." He paused and thought for a moment. "You know, I may have a solution." He dropped to one knee and began rummaging through his knapsack. Winnie peered at him curiously, but didn't speak. After a moment, his hands emerged, victorious. "Socks!"

Winnie squinted in confusion. "Socks? How is that going to help?"

Jeremiah began unrolling the cloth in his hands and held the pair out in front of her. "They're really thick, you see? They aren't as good as shoes, but if you stay in the grass, your feet should be okay. They're even really tall, so you won't have to worry so much about critters. They should go up to your knees even." Jeremiah looked so pleased at his solution that Winnie couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, thank you. I'll put them on." She sat back on the ground while Jeremiah turned back toward the road in respect. The socks were extremely thick and warmed her cold toes almost immediately. Jeremiah was right, too; the socks came up to the bottom of her knees.

After gathering all of her belongings, which weren't much, Winnie joined Jeremiah by the road. He glanced at her feet. "Are they comfortable?"

"I think they may work out after all."

"Good." The two started walking along the side of the road in silence, leaving Winnie to her thoughts. It occurred to her that she was being awfully trusting to allow this man whom she didn't know accompany her for such a long distance at night while she wore his clothes. If her mother were here, she would probably need smelling salts to gain consciousness.

They walked for nearly an hour before Winnie spoke. "You said earlier that you were a messenger of God. What did you mean?"

Jeremiah smiled slowly, as if he had answered this question before. "Exactly what it sounds like."

"Are you a minister?"

He laughed. "No, but I wish that I was. I never received any formal education. The only wisdom I carry was acquired on a road like this talking with great men whom I now consider brothers. In fact, it was one of those men whose funeral I have just come from."

Winnie shuddered involuntarily. "That's horrible. I'm sorry."

"It's all right. He led a good life." Jeremiah cleared his throat. "He was a good man and I know that he is in a better place."

"Yes, but you must miss him."

"Of course I do. I will always miss him. He was a dear friend, but God needs him more than I do and more than the world does." He wiped quickly at his eyes and Winnie turned away.

After a moment, Jeremiah spoke. "Why are you traveling?"

"I'm looking for my family. I have heard that they have traveled east."

"What is their name?"

"Tuck."

Jeremiah's brow wrinkled slightly as he rummaged his brain for a memory. "I don't think I know them."

Winnie sighed. "That's okay. You're not the only one."

"How long have you been on the road?"

Winnie thought for a second. "Six days. It seems like it should have been longer."

"That's how life works sometimes. One day you're young and carefree and the next, you're twenty-two years old, walking across the country with nothing but the clothes on your back and a song in your heart." He smiled to himself. "But it ain't so bad. Most things aren't."

Winnie didn't say anything, for he had given her too much to think about without adding to the confusion. They continued walking side by side along the dirt road until the sun appeared over the horizon, sending streaks of color into the dark sky. Winnie's heart skipped at the memory of her and Miles going fishing in the Tucks' lake the morning she stayed with them in their home. She remembered how he had let the fish go because she asked him to. Her eyes filled with tears and she reached up to brush them away. Jeremiah noticed the gesture and took a handkerchief from his jacket pocket. She accepted it gratefully and wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I was just thinking about my family. Miles…my brother. He took me out fishing at dawn once."

Jeremiah nodded sympathetically, then paused. He started to say something, but shook his head. Winnie studied him curiously. "You were going to say something," she stated.

"No, I was just thinking that I know a Miles, but it isn't the man you're thinking of. His last name is McCormick, not Tuck."

Winnie sighed in disappointment, but pushed the thought from her head. Patterson, she thought. Someone will know something in Patterson.

"Yep, Miles McCormick is a good man. I haven't known him long. About three years ago, he and his brother moved to Patterson from the west somewhere."

Something in Winnie's brain clicked and she echoed his words. "Patterson?"

Jeremiah nodded again. "Yes, ma'am, he's there right now working as a blacksmith."