Kid was walking down by the stream when he happened upon a person. He knew it was Ben right away though he didn't look quite the same. He wasn't a 13 year old kid anymore; he looked like a young man.

Kid's heart was slamming against his chest. "What do you want from me?"

He smiled. It wasn't a menacing smile but tender. "I want nothing but to see you let go of the weight you are carrying unnecessarily."

"You mean the guilt I have over killing you? How can I let it go? It's not unjust."

He suddenly saw the dark outline of a cross in the shadowed distance.

"He paid it all so you could be free from the burden of guilt," Ben reminded him.

Then Ben suddenly vanished from sight along with the cross. Kid called out his brother's name, but there was no answer. There was so much more he wanted to ask and tell him.

He woke up from the dream with Ben's name still on his lips. He had a feeling he'd really called out loud. He looked beside him; Ruth still slept, undisturbed.

He ran a hand through his rumpled, sweaty hair. It had seemed so real in some ways. Dream or no dream, the impact and message was the same. He had let God forgive him, but it was long past time to forgive himself.

He got out of bed and down on his knees, taking a cue from Ruth. She said that although a person could pray in any position and be heard, she liked using this position because it reminded her that she was approaching the King of the Universe and He would hear her petition.

"I cast my burden upon You, oh, Lord," Kid prayed. "I am unworthy to be heard, but I know I am heard. I can't carry it alone anymore and I'm tired of trying. Free me from the guilt. Thank You for Your mercies. Thank You for giving me a second chance with my family. Amen."

He felt lighter already. It seemed too simple. Was it just a matter of asking? Didn't he have to atone for what he had done? Faith was so easy it was hard, but he was learning one step at a time.

He got to his feet. He was drawn to the window he had looked out of so many times before, dreaming and wishing. The moon was full and all the stars were bright. One star in particular seemed to glimmer and twinkle as if Ben were winking at him from heaven.

His spirits were riding so high he felt like he would burst. He had to release some of it through his fingers, so he picked up his guitar.

Ben's favorite hymn had been "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross". It was now his favorite hymn too as it was the first song Ruth had ever sung with him and the words were beautiful and soulful. He softly sung and strum all 4 verses so as not to wake anyone up.

"When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all."

"That was beautiful," Ruth said softly in a voice that suggested he had woken her up.

"I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to wake you," he said, putting the guitar down.

"I don't mind. It was a pleasant way to wake up." She took on a concerned look. "Can't sleep again?"

"No, but this time it's because I'm happy."

She cocked her head, waiting for an explanation.

He climbed back into bed with her. "I had a dream. Do you believe God still sends us dreams?"

"I wouldn't say it's impossible, not as common as it was in the Old Testament days with the Holy Ghost living in us and the complete Word maybe, but if the dream helped you in some way, who's to say it wasn't from God?"

"I dreamed about Ben. He wanted me to forgive myself or God did. I don't know which. Maybe both."

"And have you?" she asked, smoothing his hair back lovingly.

"I guess I have. It's always the hardest one to forgive, ain't it?"

"That's true, but if the God who is perfect and holy can forgive us through Jesus Christ, who are we to withhold it from ourselves?" She leaned in and kissed his lips lightly. "I'm happy for you."

"Do you mind if we stay a few more weeks? I figure we can help with the spring planting and give Grace a chance to be ready for the journey."

"And you want a chance to enjoy your rebuilt relationships?" she asked with a knowing smile.

He nodded sheepishly.

"Of course I don't. It'll give me a chance to get the new quilt done and I want you to have that chance too."

They snuggled down under the covers.

"A man couldn't ask for a more understanding wife. How can I ever thank you?"

"You can start by singing me back to sleep," she said with a grin, locking hands with him.

This time he chose the love song she had deemed too sensual during their courtship and sang it huskily in her ear, "Drink to me only with thine eyes."