Waiting for Sam to reply was taking an eternity.

Inhale and exhale. Inhale and exhale, Lucas told himself over and over. The cold air penetrated his lungs, reminding Lucas with each breath that this was no dream he was trapped in. This growing nightmare was his present reality. Which made waiting for Sam's answer all the more excruciating.

Again Lucas asked Sam his question, unable to bear the silence any longer. "Where is Elizabeth?" A horrifying thought occurred to him. "Please tell me she's alive! Please tell me that both she and little Jack are alright!"

"Oh, sonny, she's alive. They both are." Sam quickly assured him. The peddler was sorry that his delay in responding had caused young Bouchard to imagine the worst scenario for his beloved and her son.

One of the many knots in Lucas' stomach eased upon hearing Sam confirm Elizabeth and Jack were ok. At that moment, Lucas knew that he'd give up anything and everything as long as Elizabeth and her son were safe and happy. Even if that meant staying in this unpleasant, unsettling new reality. He would endure whatever he had to for Elizabeth's sake.

What gives you comfort...? Henry's question came back to Lucas. Less than an hour ago Lucas would have said that it was thinking he was master over his own destiny. But seeing how altered everything was for the town and people he cared for...Lucas knew most assuredly that what comforted him did not lie within himself. It was beyond his own being, patience, or wisdom.

"Please tell me where she is," Lucas asked. If he couldn't escape this alternative reality, his dearest wish would be to see her one last time. To look into her mesmerizing blue eyes and hear her soothing voice. To simply look upon his soulmate. "Please," Lucas pleaded.

Sam shook his head slowly while looking down at the gravel under his shoes.

"Where is she?" Lucas rose from the boardwalk and pivoted to look down at Sam. "You know where she is," Lucas spoke with building conviction that Sam knew much more than he was letting on.

Sam finally met Lucas' stare. "I'm not supposed to tell." He sounded almost timid as his eyes dropped back to the ground.

Lucas could feel his patience wearing thin. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Lucas took a step towards Sam.

"Is she at the schoolhouse? Her house? I don't know how you know all of this but you know something!" Lucas balled his hands into fists inside his pockets to keep from hoisting Sam up from his seat. His life was already in enough trouble without assaulting a possible guardian angel.

Lucas whirled around, his back to Sam...further removing the temptation of doing something he might regret. Pivoting from left to right, Lucas debated inwardly if he should first search for Elizabeth at the school or at her house. Lucas was about to start towards the school when he heard Sam speak up.

"You're not going to like it, Lucas. She never wrote a novel. She's no longer a teacher either."

"That's a lie! Since she was five years old, Elizabeth has wanted to be a teacher and a writer!" Lucas vehemently declared as he spun back to face Sam.

Sam stood to his feet. "But it's the truth! You weren't here to encourage her to go further in her writing, let alone suggest she submit her manuscript to more than two publishers. As far as teaching, Bill wasn't here to counsel her through the legalities with the school district. The school district finally removed her because she would not be dictated to...least of all by them. She feared for little Jack's safety, so she sent him to live with her parents this past summer."

To part with her son, for any length of time Lucas knew, must be excruciating for Elizabeth. He had to find her. He had to see her. Now!

Stepping to within a foot in front of Sam, Lucas demanded through clenched teeth, "Tell me where she is! Tell me now, Sam!"

Sam looked up at Lucas with eyes wide as saucers before squeezing them shut.

"She's just about to get on the stagecoach" He finally confessed.

Without a backward glance, Lucas took off in the direction of the stagecoach platform.

He didn't see the stagecoach yet at the platform or that it had even arrived. All he saw was a solitary figure, seated on the platform bench with their back to Lucas. As he drew nearer, Lucas noticed by the delicate shoulders and hairstyle that it was a woman waiting on the bench.

I'll ask her if she's seen Elizabeth, Lucas thought as he came abreast with the waiting passenger.

Stepping in front of the woman, he saw her face was covered with a filmy black veil. Pausing a moment to catch his breath, Lucas noticed that the woman's entire ensemble was black. Wanting to be sensitive that the lady was in mourning, he decided to be respectful and forthright in his quest.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Is Mrs. Thornton nearby?"

The woman tilted her head to the side as though she was slightly puzzled.

"Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton. Have you seen her?" Lucas rephrased his question. He was running out of time and patience and hoped this lady might be able to assist him.

The woman sat a bit straighter. "Do we know each other, sir?"

He would recognize that voice anywhere! That pleasantly deep female voice laced with sweetness and gentleness...all in all, a most pleasing cadence. Elizabeth!