Hi guys,

Well, here is the final chapter for this part of the story! With all your reviews and kind comments I have decided to upload this early for you all! I will start uploading the second part of this series sometime this week, I just have to go over it and give it a final edit and it's good to go. It's going to be rather epic, it's going to be full of gut wretching emotions and I can't wait to share it with you all. I can't wait to share it all with you, I'm sure you will be crying an ocean with some of the storylines included in the next part of this series.

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 35

Jessie sighed as she picked up the suitcase Lisa had given her, everything with the exception of her guns tucked safely away inside. It was really happening. She was leaving.

She glanced over her shoulder at the clock. It was almost ten. Her foster carers would be arriving any time now, Clint was already outside with Jack and Lisa waiting for them and she felt like her feet were made of lead as she forced herself to head back outside. She'd already said her goodbyes to Amy and Mallory before they had left for school, and she had given Amy a quick sketch of Spartan as her way of thanking her for her part in looking after Warrior. To Mallory, she'd given her a drawing of her and Copper, as well as instructions for Cougars care. She'd taught her the whistle to call her, and told her a few other things she needed to know. She just hoped Cougar would be okay.

'You heading out now?'

Jessie turned at Lou's voice, the woman having appeared in the doorway from the laundry and nodded. 'They'll be here any minute now.'

'Alright.' Lou walked over to her. 'I'll say my goodbyes now. I know I didn't have much to do looking after you, but I wish you all the best.'

'Thanks Lou.' She smiled sadly. 'You take care of yourself.'

'You too.'

Jessie picked up her suitcase and started for the door as Lou headed back to do the washing. Reaching for the door handle, she paused, then took a deep breath and walked out. She didn't know when she would be back, or if she would come back. Clint had promised she could come visit when she liked, but she didn't set any faith by it. This was a new place she was going too, she didn't know what to expect but she determined to keep her wits about her. She didn't know who she could trust.

'Got everything?' Clint asked as the girl walked over to where he, Jack and Lisa were talking. He glanced down at his watch. 'They should be here any minute now.'

Jessie nodded as her answer to Clints question, placing her suitcase down. 'They're bringing a trailer for Warrior, right?'

'Yes.'

'I'll go grab him.' She turned and headed for the barn, noticing Jack following her. 'Do you have a cheap halter that I can take?' She asked, pulling the leather one off the stallion and handing it to him. 'This one is too good for me to take.'

Jack gently grabbed her hand and gave her the halter back. 'You keep it Jessie, as my gift to you. I know this must be hard, but stay strong and keep us close to your heart. You know you are always welcome to come and visit. Our home is always open.'

Jessica swallowed hard as tears came to her eyes. 'Thank you Jack. I'm going to miss you all.'

'I'm going to miss you too but everything will be alright. You just have to believe.'

'I know, and I have Warrior too. As long as we're together, nothing can hurt us.' She turned back to the stallion and put his halter on, then clipped the lead on, opened the door and led him out to where Clint and Lisa were as Jack grabbed her tack. 'I'm ready.'

'Good.' Clint nodded, then turned his attention to the truck pulling into the drive. 'Here they are.'

Jessica swallowed hard again as the truck and horse trailer pulled to a stop. A man and woman hopped out of vehicle and walked over to Clint and the three adults began to talk. Turning to Warrior, she absorbed herself in picking at a bit of loose stitching in the halter.

'Jessica, this is Mr Howard and Mrs Ruth Armstrong. They will be your foster parents.'

The girl turned at Clint's voice and cautiously smiled. 'Hello.'

'Hello Jessica, it's a pleasure to finally meet you.' Ruth smiled widely at her. 'We hope you will be happy at our home. We've got a few girls staying with us that are your age, I think you'll get along with quite well.'

'I look forward to meeting them.' She replied softly, a shiver running up her spine. Something wasn't right, her stomach was in knots but she forced herself to remain calm. 'If you'll excuse me, I'll load up Warrior. I'm sure you want to be on your way.'

'I can load him.' Howard offered, reaching for the lead but Warrior snorted and reared, pushing him back away. 'Woah!'

'Easy boy, easy.' Jessica quickly got him back under control, rubbing his neck. 'He doesn't like strangers, so I'll load him.'

'It takes awhile for him to trust people.' Lisa interjected. 'He needs space.'

'Well, I'm more than happy to give it to him.' Howard took a couple more steps back. 'If you'll load him, we'll put the rest of your things in the truck and be on our way so your not in Mr. Bartlett's hair anymore.'

Jessica caught the look Jack shot at him but didn't say anything as she lead Warrior forward. Opening the back of the trailer, she let him take a look at the inside, then lead him in and tied him up. Heading back out, she closed the door behind him then walked back over to the group. Turning to Lisa and Jack, she smiled sadly. 'I guess this is goodbye.'

Lisa nodded as she fought back tears. 'I'll call you sometime, I've got your foster parents number.' Something inside told her not to mention the phone she had given her that morning.

'I'd like that.' Jessica held Lisa tight as she hugged her. 'Keep well, and keep Jack out of trouble. He's going to need a firm hand now that I'm not around any more.'

Jack chuckled as Jessica gave him a hug too. 'You take care you hear. Your always welcome here at Heartland. We'd love to have you visit.'

'I'll keep that in mind. I'll miss you both, and the rest of the family. You guys have given me the best couple of months I could ask for.'

'Alright, we must really hit the road.' Howard interjected. 'Time to go Jessica.'

Jessica nodded as she gave them both one last hug. 'Goodbye.'

'Bye Jessica, you'll be in my thoughts.' Lisa kissed her head gently, then wiped away a tear running down the girls cheek. 'Stay safe.'

'Good luck Jessie, I hope we'll see you again soon.'

The girl nodded again, then turned and walked over to the truck and hopped into the backseat. Howard and Ruth shook hands with Jack, Lisa and Clint then climbed in the truck and Howard started the engine. Tears began running down her cheeks as the truck pulled out of the ranch yard, Jack and Lisa waving to her as she waved back till she couldn't see them any more as they headed onto the road. Watching the scenery fly past, she couldn't help but feel like she was leaving the first place she'd felt she'd really belonged. Wiping away her tears, she sniffed then put on a brave face. This was a challenge that she was going to meet. She was a survivor, and she would face it courageously.

I hope you all enjoyed the first story of this series! I will see you all with the next story in a few days with Old Demons, Uncertain Futures (it will be included under this story, if you have a look at the chapters you will see the story name in the chapter title) and I'm glad you have all enjoyed my writing so far!

TTill next time, adios!