Jamie sat with the other graduates, straining her eyes to see whether or not Andy was in the bleachers. As she hadn't heard from him in several weeks, her hopes that he'd be able to make it to her graduation ceremony had started to wane.

"Certainly he'd call if he were in town," she'd said to her mother as she was adjusting her cap and gown that morning.

"You would think so," Jo had agreed. "Try not to be too disappointed, Jamie. After all, he didn't promise he'd be here. He only said he'd try to make it, and if he can't, you know he'll be here in a couple of weeks, anyway."

Jamie had sighed. "I know. I was just so hoping he'd be here."

"I know you were, sweetie, and maybe he will be. Maybe there was some reason he couldn't call. Just wait and see."

The principal, class president, and valedictorian made their speeches, and then as the graduates' names were called, Jamie listened hard for her own. Since her last name started with 'B', she knew she wouldn't have long to wait, and sure enough, it was soon her turn to walk forward and receive her diploma.

She heard cheering and knew it was for her. The bleachers were so far away she couldn't see where her family was sitting, but she knew they were all there, even Clay, although he'd probably come more for Taylor than for her.

Once she'd received her diploma, it seemed like a long wait for all the other students to be called, but finally the ceremony was over, caps had gone sailing into the sky, and it was time for the graduates to be reunited with their families and friends. Within moments, she was in her mother's embrace.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetheart!" Jo exclaimed.

Next it was Doug's turn to hug his stepdaughter. "I'm real proud of you, darlin'. You did good."

"Thanks, Dad," said Jamie.

"Can we go eat now?" asked Bethany. Everyone laughed.

"Jamie!" called a masculine voice. She turned her head, and there he was! A second later, she was in his arms.

"I'm so glad you could make it!" she cried.

"I wanted to call, but I didn't get the chance," he told her. "My flight got in really late last night, and by then, I was so tired, all I wanted to do was sleep."

"How's your family?"

"Doin' good! I can't believe Declan's almost four months old now! That little booger's growin' like a weed!" Declan was Bits's son.

"I can't wait to meet him!" said Jamie.

"You will soon," Andy promised. "How 'bout if I take you out to lunch? We have a lot to catch up on, don't we?"

"Sounds great! Just let me tell my parents."

She told Jo and Doug of her plans, and thirty minutes later, they sat across from one another in their favorite restaurant.

"It's great to see you again, Jamie," said Andy. "I've been lookin' forward to it all year."

"So have I!" exclaimed Jamie. "And now it's summer, and we can see each other as much as we want!"

Andy nodded. "Until it's fall again."

The waitress arrived with their drinks. "Are you ready to order?"

They ordered their favorites and were left alone again.

"And then you go back, and this time I can go with you!" Jamie finished Andy's statement.

"Missionary work isn't for everyone." Andy's voice was solemn. "It's a special calling that only a select few receive. It means dedicating your whole life to a cause greater than yourself, living in primitive conditions with no modern-day luxuries, being exposed to all sorts of tropical diseases that are unheard of in the United States. It's no exotic vacation. It's the hardest work you could ever imagine, and your only payment is the joy you see on the faces of those you've brought hope to."

"I know all that," said Jamie. "To me, it would be worth it just to be with you."

Andy was shaking his head, and Jamie felt her heart plummet. She gulped. The inside of her mouth felt like sandpaper. "So is this goodbye, then?"

The waitress brought their food. Andy didn't say anything for a long time as Jamie watched him, breathlessly waiting for his response.

"Why don't you try it for a year," he said at last. "Come back to the Amazon with me in August and stay until June, working right alongside me. Since we're not married, we'll be sleeping in separate cabins. If you make it until June and still believe deep inside it's the life for you, then - " He grinned and stretched out his arms. "Welcome to the family!"

Jamie's heart began to hammer. "Do you mean marriage?"

Andy laughed. "What do you think I mean?"