Author's Note: And, the chapter you've all been waiting for! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Everyone was very kind about my story, and I really appreciate you taking the time to read it. Again, I am sorry about the short chapters, but that's just the way the ball bounces.

One more thing: if you would like me to alert you when I update my story, then I would be happy to do that. The author alert function of fanfiction.net only works if you pay, I think, but I will do it for free. If you would like to get on this "update alert mailing list", then write me an email from the address you want to receive the update at. However, continue to send reviews to this site so I won't have to keep them in my mailbox, okay? Thanks and enjoy this chapter (I know you all will!).

Chapter Twenty: Jesse

"Miles," Winnie whispered, almost unable to breathe. It had been so long. So long, but to him it could have been days. His hair was still dark brown, only a little bit longer in the back, and his eyes were still deep and sad. Little black smudges covered his unwrinkled face, marks left from a job working with a fire that could not burn him, only make him darker. Winnie could not take her eyes off of him.

Miles turned to her when he heard his name and studied her for a moment, as though he thought he should know her, but couldn't quite place her. Winnie could tell the moment the pieces came together, because a thin mist came over his eyes and he sucked in a shallow breath. "Winnie?"

Winnie nodded, and stepped forward hesitantly to meet him. Miles came around the long work table and swept her up in his arms like a rag doll. She could feel her feet lift off of the ground and clung to him tightly. Her tears flowed like an ocean reversing into a river. A Tuck, she thought. I finally found a Tuck.

After a few seconds, Miles released her and looked down at her with watery eyes. "Is it really you? You're all grown up now. To tell you the truth, I didn't think I would ever see you again."

"I didn't think I would ever see you again either. Especially walking down that horrible road from Johannesburg." Winnie laughed softly, but Miles didn't.

"You walked? All the way from Treegap? How did you…" Miles stammered.

"Well, luckily, I had some help along the way." Winnie motioned to Jeremiah, who was standing a few feet away taking in the reunion. He nodded at Miles, who smiled and walked over to give him a clap on the back.

"Jeremiah! It's so good to see you again!"

"Likewise," said Jeremiah with a laugh.

The group was silent for a moment with Miles looking between the two of them and shaking his head, as if he could not believe that they were here. Then, suddenly, he turned to Winnie. "Oh, you'll be wanting to see Jesse now, won't you?"

Winnie's heart jumped at the sound of Jesse's name, but she tried to act nonchalant. "Where is he?"

"Oh, he's working out by the stables. He cleans the horse mess everyday," Miles said, grinning. "He probably smells like it, too, so I hope you don't get offended."

Winnie grinned back, but it was only so she wouldn't blush. Jesse smelling like a horse? Why, she probably smelled worse than that after walking and sleeping outside for six days! She ran a nervous hand through her hair in an effort to straighten it. A brush would have been very welcome at that point.

Miles left his assistant in charge of the shop and led Winnie and Jeremiah through the town. He pointed out the various stores and taverns, but she didn't notice any of them. All she could think about was Jesse. Miles had greeted her with a smile, but how would Jesse react to her presence? What if she had traveled this far and he didn't want her? Winnie felt her old doubts returning and tried to push them out of her mind, but they would not go away.

Finally, the group arrived at the stables. Miles stepped inside the wooden structure and called out for Jesse, but Winnie stayed behind with Jeremiah. No one answered his call, so Miles tried again.

"Jess? Are you in there?"

Winnie heard shuffling, then a familiar voice answering the call. "Yeah, I'm back here."

"Well, come out. I have something to show you."

Jesse Tuck emerged from behind one of the stalls with a grimace on his beautiful face. His dark hair held tiny bits of straw and his skin was covered in dirt. Winnie remembered the first time she had ever seen him in the forest drinking from the spring. If she felt that her heart was lost when she saw him for the first time, then how could she describe what she felt now? Her heart was not lost, nor was it stolen. It had been carried away to a beautiful place from whence she was certain that it would never return.

"I don't have time for this, Miles. I…" Jesse's voice trailed away as his gaze fell upon Winnie, who was standing behind his brother. His expression did not change, but Winnie could see a slow fire building in his eyes. They stared at one another for several seconds before Jesse moved. He covered the distance between them in six steps and gathered her up in his arms.

When Jesse's arms came around her, Winnie closed her eyes and allowed herself to be held. Neither of them said anything, but Winnie could feel unshed tears burning the back of her eyes. She hadn't realized exactly how much she had missed Jesse until she saw him standing there covered in dirt and who knows what else, with an exasperated expression on his face and her heart in his hand.

Finally, Jesse released her and looked into her eyes. His mouth opened as if to speak, but he must have decided against it, because he stopped. Instead, his lips formed a gentle smile, which Winnie could not help but return. After a second, they turned to find Miles and Jeremiah watching them curiously, Miles looking bemused and Jeremiah looking happy, if not confused. Winnie felt herself blushing all the way down to the roots of her hair, but didn't say anything to them. It was Miles who finally broke the silence.

"Well, I guess you'll be wanting to see Ma and Pa now, won't you, Winnie?" When Winnie nodded, he smiled at her like the brother he was supposed to be. "They'll sure be glad to see you."