A part about The Cowardly Lion in this chapter is from "Wizard of Oz". Just borrowing, not mine, nor are the characters from "When calls the heart".

Chapter 11

Lillian held four year old Judy on her lap and smiled as a little girl laughed along with the other kids as they listened to the story of "Wizard of Oz".

What was supposed to be one man show…well one girl show, meaning Grace playing all the parts, quickly turned into a real theater play thanks to some help from Lucas.

At this moment, Lucas had an old sheet wrapped around his shoulders as a cape. He stood with his nose piercing the clouds like he was the King of the world… while he actually posed as The Cowardly Lion revealing to Dorothy - played by Grace - how would he act if he gets some courage.

"Your Majesty, if you were king, you wouldn't be afraid of anything?", asked Grace, her eyes twinkling.

"Not nobody! Not nohow!", exclaimed Lucas, waving with the left than right side of his "cape".

Changing her voice to The Tin Man, Grace raised her eyebrows.

"Not even a rhinoceros?", she asked.

"Imposerous!", was Lucas' reply.

"How about a hippopotamus?", Grace was back to Dorothy's voice again.

Lucas stomped his foot, roaring:

"Why, I'd thrash him from top to bottomus!"

Grace fought the laugh that was bubbling inside as she asked:

"Supposing you met an elephant?"

"I'd wrap him up in cellophant!", Lucas nodded at his audience.

"What if it were a brontosaurus?", Grace wondered.

"I'd show him who was king of the forest!", Lucas proudly roared.

"How?", asked Grace, her lips twitching dangerously at the sight of Lucas trying to untangle himself from a piece of sheet that wrapped around his ankle as he continued to play The Cowardly Lion.

"How?! Courage! What makes a King out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk, in the misty mist or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got?", Lucas asked, ponting at his chest.

"Courage!", yelled the children.

"You can say that again!", laughed Lucas, nodding with a goofy face, sending kids to hysterics.

As he and Grace bowed, kids applauded exclaiming "More! More!"

Lillian got up from her chair and started rounding the children, telling them it's time for classes.

Lucas glanced curiously at Grace.

"After breakfast we play or read stories. Afterwards, Lillian teaches them the alphabet and math while I start on with lunch", she explained with a smile.

"That sounds great. So, what are we making today?", asked Lucas.

Grace opened her mouth to speak, but was lost for words.

"Oh… Lucas, no… You've done enough already", she tried to protest.

Lucas raised her eyebrows.

"Grace… I told you that I will help you", he reminded her.

"I know, but you have things to do…", she tried again, but he wouldn't let her go down that road again.

"Nothing that can't wait. Trust me", his lips curled up a bit "I told you that I will help you and I always keep my word".

Grace smiled and feeling blush creeping up her neck quickly looked down…

…only to chuckle at the sight of Lucas' leg still trying to free itself from that offending "cape".

He followed her gaze and let out a chuckle as well. Finally unwrapping the sheet and folding it neatly, he followed Grace back to the kitchen.

—--

The stew was bubbling happily on the stove as Lucas cleaned up the table where he was cutting vegetables and meat just a few minutes ago.

Grace took the kettle off the stove and poured some hot water in two cups. The scent of thyme filled the air.

She gave Lucas his cup of tea.

"Thank you", he accepted it with a small smile and sat down.

Grace took her own cup and sat down as well.

"Thank you again for everything, Lucas. You shouldn't have tire yourself with "The wizard of Oz", really", she said, uncertainty obvious in her voice.

"Are you kidding? That was the best part of the day!", he smiled widely.

Grace could feel her heart picking up on speed at the sight of those dimples.

A few moments passed as they just gazed at each other.

"How is your hand today?", asked Lucas.

Grace nodded.

"Better, thank you. Ice helped me, it's not so swollen anymore. Plus, it's not like I am doing anything. The kids really took upon themselves to help me this morning. They treated me like a princess", she smiled with affection for her little darlings.

"You deserve nothing less", Lucas said warmly, leaving her speechless once again.

They took a sip of tea and for a moment, a pleasant silence set in.

"You know, it's really remarkable what you and Lillian are doing here for these children. I know I already said that, but I really do mean it", said Lucas.

"Thank you. They fill our lives as well. It's all about love. The only thing these kids are really missing is love. Someone to look after them", sighed Grace.

Lucas watched her as she looked down at her cup and got lost in her thoughts for a moment.

"Sounds like you know what that feels like", he quietly said, hoping that he didn't cross the line.

Grace smiled sadly and looked up at him.

"I do", she sighed deeply before she started to talk "We lost our parents when I was five and Lillian was eight years old. We were taken to the orphanage and just when you think it can't get worse than that, it did", she sniffed a bit before continuing "Lillian was adopted, but I wasn't. We didn't know anything about each other for 12 years", her eyes filled with tears "But, we managed to find each other and decided to do this. To give love to these kids. For us, an orphanage is more than an institution. It's an act of love, a place where every kid gets a chance" her voice drifted away and she blinked a few stubborn tears away.

Something inside Lucas broke as he took this amazing woman in. Life gave her so little and she gave so much more back.

Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far behind me, Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly Birds fly over the rainbow Why then, oh, why can't I?

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly Birds fly over the rainbow Why then, oh, why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow Why, oh why can't I?

(Judy Garland - "Somewhere over the rainbow")