While Elizabeth was helping at Haven House, Jack, Jesse, and Tom tore down walls and kitchen cupboards on the first floor of the house.

"Jack, look at this." Jack walked over to where Jesse was concentrating. "We have an issue."

Jack looked at the botched and pretty much illegal electrical work that was in the wall. "That is so dangerous. Total fire hazard." He looked at Jesse. "Don't suppose you know a good electrician in town, do you?"

"No, but I can ask Aunt Vera."

"I have another idea." Jack pulled out his phone and called a guy he knew in Portland. "Hey, Jeff. Jack Thornton."

"Jack, good to hear from you."

"Thanks, you too. I just moved to Riverton and I'm doing a remodel that needs a lot of electrical help and a new roof. Got anyone you'd recommend?"

"Absolutely. For electrical, Manny Alvarez. He has done a lot of work for me. Also Bill Avery for the roof."

"Great, can you text me their numbers, please?"

"Sure can."

"Thanks, Jeff. I owe you one."

"Well, once you're finished with your project, get in touch with me. I'll keep a position open for you. I could use you on my team.

"Well, this project is going to take quite a while."

"Whenever. Just give me a call."

"Thanks, Jeff. I appreciate that."

Jack and the guys finished demolishing the downstairs while they waited for Manny and Bill to call Jack.

"Hello?" Charlotte called over the pounding of sledge hammers.

"Hey, Ma."

"Hey. I got some barbecue from the place in town. Time for a break."

It was dinner time so they stopped and followed her into the backyard where there were nice shade trees.

Jack's phone rang as they walked to the shade.

"Hey, baby. On your way home?"

"Hey. Yeah. I'm about to leave."

"How was it?"

"I'll tell you when I get home. I love you."

"I love you too, Elizabeth. Drive safe."

"I will."

He listened for her car. As soon as he heard it, he hurried to the front yard.

She rushed into his arms. "Honey, I missed you today."

"I missed you too," he said with a kiss. "Did you have a good day?"

"It was so great. This is what I want for us. These children need us."

"Those exact children?"

"Well, no…maybe not…but children like them. I'm so happy we are doing this. Your mom and dad are here?"

"Yeah. Mom brought dinner. Jesse is here too."

"Alright. But tomorrow night, just you and me, ok?"

He kissed her and smiled. "Music to my ears."

….

That night, she told him about the kids, but the majority of the time they talked about Autumn.

"Jack, she tugged at my heart. The fact that people in her life didn't want her just because she's different….gosh. She is funny and beautiful and she's so happy. I think maybe it's a blessing that she might not know why she doesn't have parents. That way she doesn't feel neglected. As far as she knows, everything is fine."

"That's why I fell in love with you, baby. You have such a huge heart."

"You would love her too, Jack."

"I'm sure I would."

"What if we adopted her?"

"Is she up for adoption?"

"I don't know."

"And right now, our house isn't livable."

"No, but we have the second bed."

"And, honey, do you think we are up for all the things Down's syndrome might bring?"

"We could do research and I'm ready for anything. These kids will all have issues. Hers just happens to be physical."

"Let's think about it and pray about it, alright?"

She nodded and gave him a kiss. "Thank you, Jack."

"For what?"

"For not just shooting down my idea."

"I will try not to ever do that, Elizabeth. I want you to always feel comfortable enough to tell me anything that is on your mind."

"You're a good husband."

"You make it easy." He moved her closer and closed his eyes to go to sleep. However, his heart and mind were making it impossible. Now he wanted to meet the little girl that had stolen his wife's heart.

He ran his fingers through her curls as she drifted off and his mind thought of a time when they would be parents. Hopefully not too far away.

He had the urge to walk around so he slowly got up, slipped a t-shirt over his head, and walked outside.

He sat down on the partially fixed porch and stared up at the multitude of stars. It was beautiful in the country. Quiet. No traffic. Frogs and crickets singing their songs, not a care in the world.

"Thank you," he prayed. "Thank you for everything you give us. I am so grateful for Elizabeth and my parents and for the opportunity to make a difference in these children's lives. Please help us to be patient and listen for your guidance when it comes to expanding our family."

"Jack?" He looked up and smiled, offering his hand. She took it and sat next to him. "What are you doing?"

"Just praying."

She leaned her head on his shoulder. "About what?"

"Thanking Him for our amazing life and asking for patience."

"We do have a pretty amazing life, don't we?"

"Yeah. We are getting more opportunities than most people our age have."

"Very true." After a few quiet moments, she stood and held out her hand. "Let's go to bed, hon."

"You go ahead. I'm not done praying yet."

She bent down and kissed him. "Don't be too long."

"I won't."

…..

The next day, Charlotte picked up Elizabeth after breakfast and told her she was taking her shopping and out to lunch.

As they drove downtown Riverton, Charlotte parked in front of a boutique. "I came in here yesterday. I think you will love this place."

"I don't really need anything."

"Nonsense, and it's on me. Pick something."

"You don't need to buy me anything, Charlotte."

"You may not think I'd remember but I know it's your birthday tomorrow. I want to get you something."

"Alright."

"Let's go see what they have."

An hour later, Elizabeth walked out with a lovely dress for Jack and her date that night and as a bonus, the items in the boutique were second hand so they were very affordable.

"Charlotte, you were a teacher. Did you ever get to work with children in the special education classes?"

"I volunteered a few days a week during my lunch hour."

"Any kids with Down's?"

"Yes. There was a beautiful little boy about eight named Damon. He was such a delight to spend time with."

Elizabeth nodded and watched out the window as Charlotte drove toward Portland.

"Something on your mind, dear?"

"Someone. Yes."

"One of the children from the group home?"

"Yes. Her name is Autumn. She is gorgeous and so happy and she wears these little pink glasses."

"And she has Down's?"

"Yes."

"And you fell in love with her, didn't you, Beth?"

"I did. I just feel like she's supposed to be ours, you know?"

"Have you researched Down's at all?"

"No. I haven't had a chance. What do you know about it?"

"There are varying degrees of the syndrome. Some have heart or hearing or thyroid issues. Some don't. Some wear glasses or have hearing problems. Some just have speech delays. Some just developmental. But, they are generally very positive and happy."

"She is. Charlotte, she has blonde hair and blue eyes and such a joyful smile."

"Beth, is she up for adoption? Because if she isn't, you might be getting too attached to her. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Jack and I know that being foster parents could be difficult and that letting these kids go after getting to know them could be heart breaking. It's a risk we want to take to provide safety and love for those who need it."

"I'm proud of you."

"Thank you. And thank you for my dress."

"You're very welcome, sweetie."

…..

That night

Jack escorted his wife into Bisque, a seafood restaurant in downtown Portland. He had made reservations and spilled the beans to the manager that he was having a dozen pink roses delivered for her birthday and asked for a special dessert to be prepared too.

"Good evening," the host greeted, just inside the door.

"Hello. Thornton party of two," Jack told him.

"Yes. Right this way, sir."

Elizabeth gasped when she saw the table setting with her roses. "Jack…"

"Happy Birthday, baby," he told her, briefly kissing her.

"You remembered."

"Of course I did." When they were seated, he took her hand. "You look amazing tonight. That dress," he said, his eyes roaming to the deep neckline.

She blushed and adjusted her almost sheer shawl that was wrapped around her shoulders. "I'm glad you like it."

"Good evening. I hear it someone's birthday," the male server said with a smile.

"Yes. My gorgeous wife's," Jack pointedly told him.

"Happy Birthday," he told her with a nod. "What can I start you with?"

Jack ordered them fried calamari for an appetizer and a glass of wine for both of them.

"So, I really would like to meet Autumn," he told her, taking her hand.

"I'm going on Monday again. Maybe you can come for a little bit."

"I can take off an hour or two."

"I'll clear it with Mrs. Stanton but that will be great."

They chatted about the roof guy coming out the next day to give them a quote and about the carpet and tile being torn up in the master bedroom and bath. Then he brought up maybe going to visit her mom or at least calling her.

"I'll call her tomorrow after I get my book off to the editor and work on my article for Tabletop."

The calamari was wonderful and their lobster potpie and bacon wrapped scallops were even better.

Finally, Jack nodded to their server and he brought out a huge piece of chocolate cake with a candle.

"Oh wow! You're definitely helping me eat this, husband."

"Alright."

Once the server left, he smiled.

"Make a wish, babe."

She closed her eyes and then blew out the candle.

"What did you wish for?"

"For a healthy and happy family, the one we have now and the one we will have in the future."

…..

After a romantic evening the night before, Elizabeth and Jack slept in a little bit and then went their separate ways after breakfast.

Elizabeth took her laptop to Vera's so she could use her Wi-fi and work and Jack met the roof guy, Bill.

"Well, this is definitely a big job," he told him after inspecting the roof and giving him a quote. "The part of the roof that is still intact needs new shingles at the very least."

"Alright. Well, let's get it done. This house needs to be safe for the family. That starts with the roof."

"Very well. We can start Monday if that works for you."

"It does. Thank you, Bill. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome."

As Elizabeth sent her book off to the editor, her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Elizabeth, this is Abigail Stanton."

"Oh, Mrs. Stanton! It's great to hear from you. I was going to call you later myself."

"Were you?"

"Yes. I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed helping at Haven. The girls are wonderful."

"That's great. Molly and Florence sang your praises."

"They are very good with the girls."

"As are you, I'm told. Which brings me to the reason I called. They want to make your volunteering a weekly thing and I wanted to let you know that I will be doing a home visit with you and your husband in the next week or so."

"Alright. Do you know which day?"

"Tuesday. I have the morning open."

"Tuesday is good for us."

"Alright. See you both then."