Chapter 39: Imprints of Rock Creek

It was the last week of their visit when Allie decided to open Elizabeth's final letter of the initial three given.

Dear Allie,

So this next letter is more of a challenge for you. Since I've never been to Rock Creek before, I'd like to have you find 10 things that best represent your visit. I know that at this point, our trips are most likely coming to an end soon, so let's plan on you sharing your collected items when we see one another again. I'm excited to learn more about Rock Creek through your eyes! I hope all is well, and Jack and I cannot wait to see you and your dad! Take care, Allie girl!

Love always,

Mrs. Thornton

"Oh, how fun!", Allie thought to herself. She took out a piece of paper and a pencil, and she started listing all of her favorite things from the trip so far. She was going to think long and hard about all the things that she had listed that best represented not only her visit but Rock Creek itself.

There was a knock on the door, and Allie looked up from her writing. Nathan was standing there at the door. Allie smiled at her dad and gestured for him to come into the tiny bedroom. Nathan followed the directions and sat at the end of the small bed, across from where Allie sat at the desk.

"Hi Dad, what are you doing?" Allie asked her father as she put her pencil down on the desk.

"Just checking in on you. I finished up on the repairs to the shed outside and came in for a drink and thought I'd see what you were up to. "What are you working on?" Nathan asked, motioning to the paper and pencil on the desk.

"Oh, that's just my response to Mrs. Thornton's last letter that she sent with us here to Rock Creek. I'm supposed to bring back 10 things that represent our trip here and be ready to share them with her and Little Jack when we see them next week. I was just brainstorming some of the things we've done, so that could help me come up with ideas of what to gather.", Allie answered, holding up her list.

Nathan nodded his head and smiled. He truly loved and appreciated the relationship between his daughter and Elizabeth. He was impressed with how Elizabeth stretched Allie to think and grow. Always the teacher in everything that she does, Nathan thought to himself.

"I was thinking that it would be a fun idea to create a garden for your grandparents. I thought that we could do it as a family project. Do you think that you'd be interested in doing that with us? I figured it'd give your grandparents some nice vegetables for the fall and winter and be something relaxing to tend. What do you think?", Nathan inquired of Allie as he looked into her hazel eyes.

Allie wore a huge smile and her eyes twinkled as she responded, "I think that's a great idea, Dad! I think Grandpa and Grandma will love it too! Can I go tell them? "

Nathan smiled back at his daughter and agreed. Soon after, he loaded the wagon and headed into town to pick up the necessary items for the garden. For the remainder of the day, the four Grants set about creating a small vegetable garden for carrots, beets, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower cabbage, spinach, kale, and lettuce. Once they finished, they cleaned up. Allie and Nellie went to make dinner as Archie and Nathan sat carving some wood outside until dinner.

During dinner, Nellie and Allie talked about going to the town library to research new recipes for the things that would be growing in the garden within the next month. Nathan talked about joining them so that he could find new songs to practice on his guitar. Archie just sat back, watching and listening. He loved this time with his family and thought how thankful he was for the second chance that he had gotten from all of them.

Later that night, after Nellie and Allie had gone off to bed, Archie stayed for a moment to speak to Nathan.

"Son, I want to say how much it means to your mother and me to have you and Allie out during this time. We have enjoyed our visit with you and appreciate all that you have done for us around our home.", Archie said, looking intently at his son.

Nathan smiled and said, "It's been a good visit, Dad."

"Son, your mother tells me that you and Elizabeth are trying out a relationship with one another. That makes me happy. That young woman, she's a good one. I hope that it works out for both of you. Just be open and honest with one another. It's really helped your mother and me this time through. Don't get hung up on things of the past. ", Archie spoke earnestly.

Nathan chuckled to himself in response and said, "I'm trying, Dad. I'm finding sometimes it's harder to get past my own private demons than anything else. They are almost paralyzing at times."

Archie looked down, deep in thought, and shook his head. Then, he put his hands on Nathan's shoulders and looked into his eyes with an intense look and said, "Son, if you love her, fight through that. There are two keys that I have found this time through that have kept me from that. My daily surrender in prayer and talking with your mother about everything going on in this old brain of mine. "

Nathan and Archie held eye contact for a few moments, and Nathan nodded. Archie embraced Nathan, and Nathan hugged his father back.

When Archie left to go to bed, Nathan pulled out Elizabeth's last letter that she sent to Rock Creek with him. He had already read some of the books that she had shared as her favorites in her past letter that he hadn't before. But this letter wasn't a list, it was a simple letter.

Dear Nathan,

Well, our time apart is most likely coming to a close with you reading this letter. My hope is that we have learned more about one another and have drawn closer after these three weeks apart. I know that we are still building our relationship, but I am excited to know that we are finally on this road together. I'm looking forward to our time together again. Travel safely and we will see you soon.

Love always,

Elizabeth

Nathan put the letter away and bowed his head in prayer. "Lord, as I go home, I put this relationship between Elizabeth and me and our families into your hands. Lead, guide, and direct our paths. Keep our hearts open to both Your will and that of one another. "Amen.", Nathan prayed earnestly. As he ended his prayer, he opened up his Bible to the pictures within it, taking in each one. The one with Allie, Colleen, and him when Allie was a baby. He loved his daughter, and he was so thankful for the gift she was in his life. Then, the picture of Elizabeth and Little Jack in Hamilton These precious souls that originally were a responsibility that he took on for himself were now so embedded in his life. He wanted this; he wanted them in every part. Nathan smiled to himself as he put the photos back into the Bible and tucked the Bible back into his bag. Then, he laid down with that same smile and went to sleep.