The next day she tells the children about the long holiday. They get all excited. Friday comes and the children are all excited for their field trip. They were only going behind the school to the tree line. Ok children listen up. I have a couple of rules that you must abide by.

1. Do not go into the woods. There are snakes in there and we don't want to get bitten.

2. We are only to get 3 different items and no more. It's ok to help someone find their 3 items but don't keep them.

Now everyone get your jackets and lunch pails. She grabbed her blanket and basket. She led them behind the school to where they were going to look for their items. She spread her blanket out on the ground and sat down on it. She watched the children scurry around trying to find their items. They were laughing and having a wonderful time. She laughed at their banter and antics. They kept running up to her to show her what they found. She couldn't believe that a teacher could only teach through textbooks. Ok children, it's time for lunch. Come sit down and have your lunch. Some said they hadn't found their items yet. It's ok children. You can go back and look again after lunch. We will be out here for the whole class time. We'll go in in time to put your treasures on your desks for Monday. Yay they all said. At the end of the day, everyone had their 3 items. They walked back to the school. She told them to put their treasures on their desks and they were free to go. They were so excited to go home and tell their parents what all they had found. She cleaned the chalkboard and went home.

Wynn had called Jack's hotel and left word for him to come for dinner the next night which was Monday. He got back to his room late that night. As he walked in, the desk clerk called him over. Sir, I have a message here for you. He hands it to Jack. He takes it and thanks the man. He takes the stairs 2 at at a time. He unlocked his door and went in. He set his key on the plate just inside the door. He prayed it was good news. He opened the message. It says to be at their house tomorrow at 5:00 pm for dinner. He thinks, surely they wouldn't feed me if the answer was no, or would they? Lord, this is in your hands. Jack decided to take a bath to get the sand off and head to bed.

The next morning he took his sketch pad back downtown. He wanted to sketch anything new. He found a park. He walked through the park until he found a bench. He sat down and just watched everyone walking around. There was a little family playing with a little boy. What must be the father chasing the little boy around. They were laughing and having a wonderful time. Jack pulled out his sketch pad and started drawing the little antics of the father and little boy. The mother was taking pictures. Jack had drawn all of them. Even the mother taking their pictures When he had finished the sketch he put it to memory. He wanted that with his Bella. He took the sketch from the pad, walked over and said, excuse me ma'am. I would like to give you something. He handed the drawing to the mother, and she gasped. The little family was staring at the drawing. The father said thank you. The mother hugged him and said she would treasure it forever. He said they were welcome and to enjoy it! Jack walks to a nearby restaurant and he gets some lunch. After lunch he decided to go get Sargent and go for a ride. He still had 4 hours until his dinner engagement. He and Sargent rode the beach line for a couple of hours north. They watched the ships coming and going. He thought Elizabeth would love this. They headed back to the hotel. By the time he got back to the hotel with enough time to change and get to the Delaney's.

Jack rode up to the house and tied the reins to the hitching post. He loosened the saddle to give Sargent a little relief. He walked up to the front door to knock but Mrs. Delaney opened it before he could knock. She invites him into the house. She said, dinner is ready. You can wash up in the kitchen. Jack takes the same seat as before. They passed the food around. Jack takes a drink of his iced tea. Wynn asks, so Jack what have you been doing for the last few days? Sir, I have never been here before so I spent a lot of time on the beach drawing and meditating and praying. Then I went to the park and took a 2-hour ride north following the beach. I've drawn enough to fill my sketchbook. Now I have to buy another. I do believe you could spend a couple of months here and still not see everything, Jack says. The conversation around the table was light but enjoyable.

Jack and Wynn retired to the living room. Just as Wynn was fixing to give Jack the answer Mrs. Delaney came with a tray of tea and cookies. She passed the tea around. She offered the cookies and of course, they accepted. Jack, we've been praying and been in contact with Beth. Jack started to wiping his sweaty palms on his pants. He thinks, here it comes. Jack, she has decided to let you come and see her. She says she's ready. Jack lets his head fall into his hands. He had to wipe the tear that had started to fall before the Commissioner could see it. Wynn leans forward and puts his hand on Jack's shoulder. It's ok son, crying doesn't mean you're weak. It means you have a heart. Jack asks softly, may I ask where is she sir? Is she ok? Where she is sir? Are they looking out for her? Mrs. Delaney speaks up and chuckles a little. Jack, she is fine but you know she is fully capable of taking care of herself, right? He chuckles and whispers, sure she is. I didn't mean to imply that she couldn't. I just know her cooking skills leave something to be desired. Well she is where I first started in Pine Springs. Jack turns and says, so she really is following in your footsteps. Yes she is, she said. He stands and says, sir there are No Mountie's there. It's pretty much wilderness there. The nearest town I'd sat, what, about 30-45 minutes away. Wynn looks at him and asks, do you know the area? Yes sir, I've been through there a few times. There's only a…..school….there, he says slowly as if realizing that is where she is teaching now. Yes son that's it.

Sir do you know when the next train out is? Hold on a minute son. We need to discuss a few things first. Jack sits back down and asks, yes sir? Jack do you realize how bad you broke her heart? It took us almost all summer to get her back on her feet to go on. We were wondering if she would be able to take this teaching job, but one morning she came down and it was as if she had been all cried out. So what we need to know is, and if she is willing to take you back, are you going to do it again? But if she doesn't take you back will you be willing to let her go and walk away? Sir, I've been praying every day all day for God to help me to make this right and for her to take me back. But sir, if she is truly ready to give up on us then yes sir I'll walk away and leave her alone. But I feel that God is answering my prayers and I will get another chance to be together. God knows my heart sir, I truly believe that He lead me here to find her. So I have to believe that she will be able to give me another chance and that she will be my forever home! Well son, we are leaving next week to spend Thanksgiving with her. She said for you to come next week. It's a 4 day trip, so if you leave on the next train which is day after tomorrow, you'll be there Sunday. That will give you a week before us to work through all of this. Thank you both so much!

He leans back on the couch and puts his arm over his eyes. Mrs. Delaney puts her hand on his knee and says, Jack, I'm going to tell you something and I want you to hear me. He sits up and says, yes ma'am. You broke her heart once and there better not be a next time if she takes you back. You know there's a strong possibility that she doesn't? Yes, ma'am, I do and I promise you this right here and right now, I will NEVER break her heart again unless God takes me home. Good to know, she said. Jack gets up and says, it's getting late so I should be going. I want to thank you both for everything! The next day Wynn sends a telegram to Beth to let her know when to expect Jack. Jack goes to the train station to get his tickets for the next day. They inform him that there will be a change in Edmonton. Jack says thanks and goes back to his hotel.

Elizabeth received the telegram from her Uncle on Tuesday saying that Jack would be leaving this Wednesday and would arrive sometime on Sunday. She clutched the paper to her heart. She felt them, the butterflies were back. Now she was glad she gave the children the week off. She and Jack needed the uninterrupted time to figure out where they go from here. She knew that she was still in love with him. The next day the children finished their class project. She hung them on the wall. They had had enough items to make 2 posters. They glued the items to the poster boards and labeled each item. They were so proud of themselves. She was very proud of them. They were wondering when their next field trip would be? She told them that she always plans 4 trips a year so the next one would be in winter, sometime in January. Then one in spring, sometime in April. Then the last day of school. They were all excited. Alright children I'm very proud of the job you did on the class project. Class dismissed and don't forget your lunch pails. She cleaned the chalkboard and went home. When she got home there was a basket with a plate of roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans and a couple of biscuits, and of course a slice of Pumpkin pie. There was a note from Mrs. Jenkins. She was always thankful for the notes so she could send them back with their child or children. She always sent a note back thanking them.