Hello everyone bet you all thought that I gave up on this story. Well here you go enjoy and please r&r. For disclaimers see chapter one.

Early the next morning Devin and Link said goodbye to Uli and Aryll and rode out together. Though they were not going the same mine, they were headed in the same direction for several miles. The left town in Silence, but it wasn't long before they started to share. Link spoke of the Zelda had responded in the barn, and his father sympathetic.

"She really thought I would enjoy seeing her hurt, Dad. I can't tell you how much that bothered me."

"She seems rather sensitive," Rusl commented. "She hides behind a lovely face and a nonchalant manner, but I sense that she could be hurt quiet easily."

"I wouldn't have agreed with you before last night, but I think you must be right. Do you suppose people have used her?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, gotten to know her just because she's pretty and then hurt her in some way?"

"It's hard to say."

"It's strange," Link went on. "She acts so spoiled, but I don't think Bipin spoils any of his girls."

Rusl had to think on this for a moment. Finally he replied, "I know what you're saying, Link, but Bipin does something worse-he's led Zelda to believe that she should look out for herself and on one else. I know Bipin is a good family man, and I can see that he cares, but his main concern seems to be himself."

Link nodded. His father had put his finger on the very thing that had eluded him. Bipin gave the appearance of being a righteous man, but Link could see that something was missing. He prayed for Bipin Fontaine right then, asking God to show him the way of true righteousness found in Christ alone.

"How long will you be out?" Rusl suddenly asked.

"I really should be gone for about a month, but I'll be coming back next weekend to meet a friend of Malon's."

"A man friend?"

Link smiled. "Yes. Someone she's quiet taken with."

Rusl frowned.

"What did I say?"

"Nothing, except watching the town of you over dinner last night, I thought maybe…"

Link was already shaking his head. "Malon is just a friend, and besides, she was in love with Ralph Langley before we even met."

"Well, he's a blessed man. She's a very special young lady."

"That she is."

"Of course, maybe you were thinking she would make a nice sister-in-law."

The younger man didn't feign ignorance. "Zelda is still very young."

"But young ladies grow up."

"Be that as is may, I've got a teaching career to pursue."

"Oh, speaking of which, "Rusl now reached into his breast pocket, "I've a letter here from you grandmother."

"How is she doing?"

"Well."

"Does she peak of Denver?"

"Yes. She says it's hot, but she still managed to gather the information I needed about a certain training collage."

Link brought his horse to a standstill and stared at his father, idle, pushed his hat back on his head, and grinned at his son.

"Do you mean it?" Link finally managed.

"Certainly. It's too late for this fall, but a year from now…Are you willing to wait?"

"I'll wait," Link told him without a moment's thought his voice almost breathless. "The time doesn't matter; just knowing it's really going to happen is all I need."

Rusl heeled his mount forward, a smile still splitting across his face. Link moved with him, a hundred questions swarming in his head. When had his father written about his desire to teach? When had the letter arrived from Labrynna? And why had he waited until now to tell him? How much did it cost? Was his grandmother helping? Maybe he could live with her.

It was all such a blur in his mind that Link couldn't voice a single word. A glance at his father told him he was still feeling very pleased with himself. Link let his eyes slide shut for just an instant.

I'm going to school, Lord. I'm going to teach. I prayed, and I waited on you. Thank You, Lord. Thank You with all my heart.

(&)

Eddie climbed up onto the double bed beside Zelda, but she did not touch the lantern. Zelda had already closed her eyes, but a moment later she realized something was wrong. She opened her eyes to find Malon sitting and staring at her.

"Aren't you going to turn out the light? I'm tired."

"He's probably going to fall in love with you."

It did seem that way, so Zelda didn't deny it, but she did try to reason with her older sister.

"Malon, Ralph already loves you."

"That's because he's never met you."

Zelda now pushed herself up against the headboard. "Do you really think he's coming all this way just to lose interest?"

Malon dropped her eyes. She was always the sure one, but tonight she wanted to panic. Ralph was coming the day after tomorrow, and she was ready to snap under the pressure.

"Malon?"

The older girl looked up.

"Do you think I would try to take your boyfriend?"

"No, Zelda!" Malon was horrified. "I didn't mean that at all. It's just that we met for such a short time, and I'm afraid he's forgotten what I really look like. And I can't help but ask myself if you'd been there that day if he'd have fallen in love with me in the first place."

Zelda leaned forward in a rare show of affection and hugged her older sister. She spoke with her arms holding her tight.

"Ralph Langley loves the woman who writes the letters you've shared. He might have been attracted that day at Aunt Cremia's, but his real love for you has come through your letters."

Zelda wasn't sure where the words had come from, but Malon looked relieved. She admitted, "At first if felt like he would never get here, but the time has flown. I just don't know if I'm ready."

"You're ready. I know you are."

They fell silent for a time until something compelled Zelda to ask, "Malon, what are you really afraid of?"

Malon sighed deeply. "I think I'm afraid that he'll ask me to marry him, and I'll know its right. Then I'll be torn between tow worlds."

Zelda didn't need her to elaborate. She had thought of this same thing many time herself. Where would they all end up? Her father and Uncle Error had been separated for years and by many miles. War had torn families apart from coast to coast. Where would they all be in ten years' time? Zelda reached for Malon again and they clung tighter. Neither one wanted to cry, but suddenly separation felt imminent.

At that moment the door opened with a low groan. Blossom came in without rebuke and joined them on the bed.

"It's getting late." Her voice was hushed.

"Where just talking," Malon told her.

Blossom nodded. She reached and brushed a stray hair form Zelda's cheek and then tenderly stroked Malon's.

"He'll be here before you know it, and then you'll know your heart. He'll either be everything you remember and more, or your heart will be cold."

"What if his heart is cold toward me?" Malon couldn't keep the tremor form her voice.

Blossom smiled. "If that was the case, then he wouldn't be taking a westbound stage to see you."

Both girls suddenly smiled at their mother. When Blossom stood they lay down, dark head finding comfortable places on the pillows, and their mother tucking them in like they were young. Blossom moved to Zelda's side first, pulling the covers high and then bending to kiss her. She received a surprisingly tender hug for her efforts before moving to Malon's side. They kissed and embraced as well, before Blossom turned the lantern down and moved to the door. Her soft fore Blossom turned the lantern down and moved to the door. Her soft "Good-night, my darling" floated over them like warm caress.

Once in the hall, the door closed behind her, Blossom trembled from head to foot.

He's going to come and claim her heart, Father, and I don't know if I can stand the separation. He's going to take my Malon, and even though I see the love in her eyes whenever Ralph's name is mentioned, I'm not ready to let her go.

Bipin had fallen asleep in his chair downstairs, but Blossom didn't go back down. She moved further along the upstairs hallway and into their bed. Her movements were laden. She was tired, and that always produced exaggerated emotions. She knew that sleep was her best option right now. As her own head lay on the soft pillow, and the light quilt settled around her, Blossom said another prayer.

Help me to remember how far You've brought us, Lord. Help me to remember to trust as I've done before. You love Malon more than I do. Help me giver her to You. Ralph too. And bless Bipin, Lord. As always, help him see that this time on earth is like a speck in light of eternity.

(&)

"One minute I feel like I just wrote that letter, and the next it feels like an eternity has passed."

Blossom smiled but didn't comment. It was no good telling Malon to sit down, for she would only pace on.

"Is it unkind of me to be glad that the girls won't be home for several hours?"

"No, dear." Blossoms voice was calm as he went on with her quilting. "Your father and I certainly don't want you children with us 24 hours a day."

Malon suddenly sat down so close to her mother that she was nearly stabbed with the needle.

"Mother, were you terribly afraid of that part of marriage?"
Blossom looked into her eyes. "A little. But I love it when your father takes me in his arms. And if you and Ralph love each other, you're going to love that too."

Malon's smile was dreamy. "He took my hand before he left Aunt Cremia's."

"And what if he wants to do more than hold your hand this time?"

"Well," Malon's brown furrowed in thought. "If he's asked me to be his wife, and I've agreed, then it's all right."

"How much is all right?"

"Oh." Malon finally understood her mother's full line of thought.

"What do you think?"

"I think it's all right if he holds your hand."

"All right," Malon agreed. "What about kissing?"
"Well, it's like you said, it depends on whether or not he's declared his intentions."

Malon nodded, clearly ready to talk. "Okay, let's say he's asked and I've accepted. What then?"

Blossom's eyes came off her sewing again. Suddenly her daughter sounded very young, but what other time would she have to ask about this? Bipin never allowed the girls to date.

"I think that if you plan to be husband and wife, then you can hold hand and hug and kiss, but I must warn you, Malon, it's very easy to go too far. Until you become husband and wife before God, you must show restraint. Ralph will certainly desire you, and I assume he will be respectful as well, but you must be fair with is feelings. The time to stop is long before you sense things are spiraling out of control."

Malon nodded, her eyes intent on her mother.

"The place to find out about the intimate side of marriage is in your bedroom on your wedding night, not in some buggy parked in the shadows of the woods. God will honor you both if you will obey Him in this area of your lives."

There was a note of fierceness in her mother's vice that Malon had never heard before, and it caused her to ask a question she would normally never hav3e broached.

"Did you do it the right way, Mother…with Father?"

"No, Malon, I didn't," her mother told her with a sigh. "I saved myself for your father, but not for our wedding night, and I will regret that for all of my life."

Malon saw in that brief sentence how hard it had been for her. The younger woman leaned close and kisser her other's cheek. Just as she drew back, a knock sounded at the door. Malon's eyes flew to her mother.

"It could be Father."

Blossom smiled. "Your father wouldn't have knocked."

Malon's eyes were huge as she rose slowly and walked from the living room. Her hand was slick with perspiration as she opened the door. There he was, taller than she remembered and so handsome in a dark suit and white shirt that it took her breath away.

"Hello, Malon." His vice was mellow and kind.

"Hello, Ralph. Won't you come in?" Malon stepped back and let him enter. His bag bumped the wall as he moved in, and Malon hoped he would be comfortable in the room they had prepared for his arrival. She expected him to at least glance around and see what he could of the house, but he turned this eyes came immediately back to her. The warmth she way in them made her blush.

"When I left your aunt's house in Holodrum, I took your hand. You blushed then." Ralph's voice was warm with remembrance "My head was on nothing but business and then there you were. I've never been so glad that I got the wrong address. I never did make that appointment, but I didn't care."

Malon's blush only deepened. She gave a self-conscious laugh, and her hands gripped the fabric of her dress. "I can't seem to help myself."

"Don't apologize."

Not wanting to seem so young and naïve, Malon shrugged a little and cast about in her mind for something to say. "How was your trip?" came out in a sudden rush.

"Fine, now."

"What does that mean?"

"Only that I wasn't certain what I would find, but I need not have worried. You're everything I remembered and more."

Malon's breath caught in her throat. Those had bee her mother's very words.

"Would you like to come in and meet my mother?"

Malon gestured with her hand, and Ralph placed his small black bag in the living room. Malon looked at his dark suit and noticed how his brad back filled the jacket. Her heart raced as she thought of his words to her.

If I doubted my feeling for you, Ralph Langley, I doubt them no more. I am a woman in love.

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