Whisper In The Wind

After the doctor treated her shoulder, Caitlin and Garrett drove back to his house. She told him about her idea for the new house and he seemed genuinely happy. He even threw in a few suggestions.

Jen paced in the dining room, racing towards Caitlin when she walked in the front door. "Sorry I didn't come back last night. All of town is talking and I had to answer questions, not that I have many answers. Trust me when I say no one slept. Enough about that. How are you?"

"Why don't you tell Jen the surprise while I make lunch?" Garrett said.

"Surprise," Jen said once Garrett was inside. "Did he?"

"No. This is actually better."

"Better than him proposing. What is it?"

A sly smile crept onto Caitlin's face and she enjoyed her secret a few more minutes. When she saw Jen ready to burst she said, "A sketch for my wedding dress."

"What? How? When?"

"Grandma Emmaline designed my wedding dress. Can you believe it? It was in a notebook in the bottom of the trunk. "

"This is amazing. Can I see it?" Caitlin rose, but stopped when she saw Garret carrying a tray. She glanced at Jen and they giggled like love-struck teenagers.

They quieted when Garrett brought the sandwiches. Jen and Caitlin glanced at each other, giggling.

"Women," Garrett said as he went inside for the drinks. Jen and Caitlin laughed more and Caitlin realized not all her hopes and dreams had been lost in the fire. She had Garrett and Jen and the most precious gift of all-her memories. Nothing or no one could ever taint her memories or destroy them. She would rebuild and make the Double C a thriving, fun-filled place, regardless of who tried to stop her.

By mid-afternoon, much of Valley View had stopped by Garrett's. Jake handed Caitlin the money from the baked good's auction. Smiling through tears, Caitlin returned the money to Jake. "Save this for another family. I have wonderful friends and neighbors and Granddaddy. Thank you for thinking about me, but I'll be fine."

"If you change your mind," Jake said, as he returned the money to his shirt pocket and tapped on it.

"Thank you," Caitlin said, squeezing his hand.

Harry stepped up with his offer to donate the lumber and supplies to build Camp Chadwick.

"You can't do that," Caitlin said, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"I can and I will." Harry wiped a tear from his eye. "Caitlin, you've been like a granddaughter. Let me do this for you. Your granddaddy helped me start my farm, and though I repaid him, I never felt it was enough. He took a chance on me when no one else would." Harry gulped in order to compose himself. "You care about this town and these people as much as Marshall did. You have wonderful plans to put this place on the map. Let us help you."