John sat leaning against a tree beside a small pond in Indiana, tossing small pebbles into the water, watching as the ripples grew and faded. He came here whenever he visited Sara and Sam Evans. This place had become all to familiar to him. It was only two short years ago, although it seemed like only yesterday, he had fallen in love with their daughter Maggie. She had been killed by a drunk driver. His pain was dulled by time, but his heart still ached. This place, her special, always gave him comfort.

        He was in deep thought when suddenly he was disturbed by a sudden noise. He looked up and spotted a small girl standing a few feet away. She had long auburn hair and even from a distance, he noticed her big brown eyes staring at him. He estimated her age to be about six years old. He smiled at her but before he could say anything, she moved behind a tree, timidly peeking out.

        John loved children and had in fact recently spent some time with his own before coming to visit the Evans. He had been working hard and decided to take a well deserved rest, to center himself.

        He remembered he had brought his guitar with him. It had belonged to Maggie and after she died Sara had given it to him.

        John started strumming and humming to himself, he watched as the child still stared at him. He began playing a song he hadn’t played or sung in a long time. When his children were small it had been their favorite. John explained to the “tree” as he smiled to himself, the song was called “Tools”.  It was about a baby rabbit that he had found and taken care of. A few days later, unfortunately, it had to be released. But the song really wasn’t really sad. Again he kept an eye on the tree as he sang, slowly the child moved out from behind it, but still stood her distance.

         “Jenny! Jennifer! Where are you? It’s getting late and you have to come home," a woman’s voice sounded a few yards away. The little girl turned and ran in the direction of the voice.  John stood up and watched as a woman came out of the wilderness. She lifted the child up and gave her a hug. He could tell they were mother and daughter right away.

        They both had the same long auburn hair and as the woman looked up, he noticed she had the same big brown eyes.

         “I’m sorry if Jenny disturbed you. She usually doesn’t stray too far away. I don’t worry too much around here, everyone looks out for each other. My husband and I used to bring her here, before he died. I don’t come here anymore but it seems to be her favorite place,” the woman apologized, putting Jenny down.

         “As a matter of fact, she didn’t disturb me at all, she didn’t say two words, she just hid behind a tree most of the time. She’s a beautiful little girl. She reminds me of my own daughter at that age. I’m sorry, my name is John,” John said extending his hand towards her.

         “Thank you. Jenny’s been brought up to be aware of strangers. I know who you are, Mr. Denver, I recognized you. I was a friend of Maggie’s and she always talked about you, how, someday she wanted to meet you. She was a very special person. When my husband died, she helped Jenny and me deal with our grief. My name is Susan Hanks," Susan said shaking John’s hand. She turned and explained to Jenny who he was. Then she took her daughter’s hand and started to leave.

        “Please..stay awhile..just until dusk. It’s beautiful here then...I promise I’ll walk both of you home later..I just need to find out more about Maggie and you’re the only person, besides her parents, that I’ve found who really knew her," John almost pleaded with her to stay.

        Susan saw the look in his eyes and she replied, "Alright, just for a little while, but I’m afraid I don’t know that much about her either. She didn’t make too many friends, although if you were in need, she was always there to help. She kept pretty much to herself.”  She seated herself on the ground as she spoke, Jenny nestled beside her.

        “I loved Maggie so much, sometimes I ache inside. I know we didn’t know each other long, but when she died, a piece of me died too. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about her. Did you know we were going to get married?" John asked.

        “Yes, Sara told me. She also told me how much you had loved Maggie. I know what you’re feeling. After Bill died... I wanted to die too. Maggie helped me overcome that. I still miss them both terribly. Both Sara and Sam became my “adoptive parents” when Bill died. I have no other family. They have been so good to Jenny and me. I’m sorry about your loss. Maggie and I became friends. She would often talk about going to your concerts and get this far away look and just smile. She spoke about your commitments to end World hunger, fighting pollution your never-ending struggle to fight against nuclear weapons. I think that is admirable in this day and age. She’d play your music for Jenny and me, she even bought us a used record player and some of your albums. We became fans of yours because of her. Jenny, remember Mr. Denver now?”

        Jenny sat quietly playing with a small rock she had found. She looked at her mother and then at John, slowly nodding. Whenever Susan mentioned Bill, Jenny became sullen and withdrawn. The child moved closer to her mother. She was only two when he had died and the only thing she knew about him was what her mother had told her. But she felt the pain of not having a father never the less.

        John sensed something was wrong and guessed it had to do with Bill. He patted a spot next to him and motioned for her to come over and sit beside him. At first, Jenny was reluctant to move, but with a broad smile and outstretched arms by John, she looked at her mother and Susan said it was ok, she got up and went over to John. He hugged her and she sat down beside him.  Susan was amazed by this because usually Jenny was extremely shy and timid. John put his arm around her protectively and Jenny snuggled close to him.

        Susan watched and smiled sadly. Although it had been difficult not having a husband to lean on, she knew how hard it was to grow up without a father. Both of her parents had been killed in a car accident when she was around Jenny’s age. She had had raised by her mother’s sister until she died shortly before Susan met Bill.

        “Maggie had a quality about her.  It’s as if she knew I was feeling sad. She would sit and listen for hours as I talked about Bill. She comforted me. We used to come here alot, but when she died, it was twice as hard to be here, you know, too many memories,” Susan said, feeling like she had told John her whole life’s story. He was really easy to talk to, even though they had just met. She was grateful for someone to talk to about both Maggie and Bill. It was the first time she opened up to anyone besides the Evans.

        “Maggie was special was a special lady and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her. This place reminds me of her. It’s as if she’s still here. I’m sorry about your husband death. Maggie seemed the kind of person to help those in need. I’m glad she was there for you and Jenny. It’s good to talk about the people you have loved and lost. It keeps their spirit alive. Thanks for sharing these memories with me. But please, call me John.” He smiled as he looked down at Jenny, who had fallen asleep, her head rested on his leg. She looked like an angel, with her long auburn hair tousled and a smudge of dirt that had found its way across one cheek.

        “Guess I’d better get you two home. It’s getting late, the sun’s going down and Jenny looks like she worn out,” he said stoking the sleeping child’s hair gently.

        “Thank you for listening to me, but you don’t have to bother walking us home, we can manage,” Susan replied getting up.

        “Really it’s no bother. I insist, that’s final,” John whispered as he got up cuddling Jenny in his arms. Susan picked up his guitar and he followed her as she led the way to her home. They made their way around the pond and through a grove of trees.
In the clearing, John saw a cabin.

        “I told you it wasn’t far. Bill built this cabin with his own two hands. It was his pride and joy. It’s ours, at least until the end of the month. Oh, the cabin is ours free and clear, but the land belongs to the bank. There’s only three acres, we were buying it when Bill was killed. His insurance money only covered the burial expenses, with little left over,” Susan said, not meaning to tell anyone of their hardships. She had laid awake at night trying to find a way to keep their home, but yet, didn’t know what to do.” Guess Jenny and I’ll have to find somewhere else to live. We were so happy here. Bill would pretend we were in the mountains somewhere out west. That was his dream, to move out there. He had been to the Rockies and told me wonderful stories about how someday we would live there. Forgive me, I don’t mean to trouble you with our problems.”

        “You’re not troubling me at all. I’d like to help if I can.” John said as Susan opened the door of the cabin for him.

        “No thank you, we’ll manage. We don’t need handouts from anyone, Mr. Denver,” Susan’s voice held a hint of anger, then she realized John was only trying to be kind.

        “I didn’t mean ...,” John said placing Jenny on a bed.

        “I didn’t mean to be so harsh, I’m sorry if I sounded that way,” Susan said, taking off Jenny’s shoes and socks not daring to look up.

        John felt embarrassed by his offer of help. He should have realized just by talking with Susan, she was fiercely independent. He walked slowly around the room as Susan undressed her child and tucked her into bed, deciding to wait until morning to give her a bath, afraid of waking her up. It was indeed an authentic log cabin. It was similar to the
one he had used on numerous fishing trips. The cabin was constructed very carefully, leaving out no details. The floors were made of hardwood and the walls were made from logs that would keep the cabin cool in the summer heat and warm in the worst of winter storms. There was a fireplace with pieces of wood stacked neatly beside it on one end of the cabin and a loft on the other. There were other rooms that John assumed to be the kitchen and bathroom. He noticed on the fireplace mantel several photos. He walked over to look closer. He recognized Susan and Jenny in a few, but one photo particularly caught
his eyes. He took it down and looked at it. It was a photo of a man standing in front of the cabin.  Susan walked over quietly and stood beside him, looking over his shoulder at the photo.

        “That was Bill. This picture was taken just after he finished the cabin. He was so proud to be able to say he built it all by himself. It took months to find just the right lumber to cut and put it all together. He worked at a lumbermill and he learned what kind of wood to use and how to build a cabin. His boss gave him some old blueprints, actually they were like sketches, and offered to sell him the lumber and supplies at cost. Bill politely refused saying he wanted to do it his own way. After a long day at the mill, Bill would come home to our tiny apartment, which he hated, eat supper, and come out here to work until he was exhausted. He wanted us to live in the country where there wasn’t any crime or pollution. He wanted Jenny to learn about nature first hand,” Susan told John, turning away, tears forcing their way into her eyes. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t cry anymore.

        John looked at the photograph. Bill had been a slightly built man, someone whom he wouldn’t have ever suspected to work at a lumbermill. He had sandy hair and brown eyes. His smiled showed he was proud of his work.

        John started to put the photo back on the mantel when he noticed Susan had turned away and was sobbing softly. He reached out to touch her shoulder and she turned around. John cradled her in his arms to comfort her. She responded to his touch. He wished he could do more to ease her grief.

        “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I told myself I wouldn’t cry anymore, but sometimes I miss him so much,” Susan said gently pulling away from him.

        “That’s alright, sometimes we all need to lean on others. I feel the same way about Maggie. It also helps to share your feelings.” John told her and letting her go. “I better go. It’s getting late and the Evans will be worried. Tell Jenny I’ll stop by again soon, if that’s alright, “ John replied as he headed for the door.

        “Thank you for being here. Yes, you may stop by. You’re always welcome. I work at a small diner in Nashville. Usually I take Jenny with me and drop her off at a sitter before I go to work or sometimes Sara wants to keep her. I guess she’s like the
granddaughter they never had. I didn’t mean....” Susan answered, her voice trailing off, afraid she may have said something wrong.

        “I know what you meant, it’s ok. Jenny’s a sweet little girl. I’d like to get know you two better, bye for now.” John said as Susan walked him onto the porch. On the way to the Evans house, he noticed the car was gone. He walked into the
kitchen to find a plate of food left for him by Sara and a note saying she and Sam had gone to town and would be back later.

        John was glad to have this opportunity alone, it gave him a chance to gather his thoughts. He sat down and looked at the plate of food, as he smiled to himself. Sara was always scolding him for being too thin. She had become his ‘second mother’, along with Sam, whom he considered his ‘second father’. He could relate to Jenny’s loss of her father, his own had passed away and he still missed him a great deal. After John had eaten a small portion of food, he gave the rest to Hercules, the Evans cat. He put the plate in the drainer after he had washed, rinsed it and he retired to his room, it had belonged to Maggie. Sara had packed up her things after she died but couldn’t bring herself to get rid of any of it. The boxes stood idle in the corner.

        John suddenly missed his guitar, he then realized he must have left it at Susan’s house. He smiled thinking how some might interpret it as an act of his subconscious in using it as an excuse to see her again. He brushed the notion away, if he wanted to see her again, he would simply do it. After all, she had said he was welcome anytime. He took a shower and got ready for bed.

        That night he dreamt of Maggie. He often was haunted by nightmares, reliving the awful scene that had claimed her life. He never told anyone, but he felt responsible for her death. If he had only done something differently, she might still be alive.

        This dream, however, was unlike the others. Maggie spoke to him, she told him it wasn’t his fault that she’d died and to stop blaming himself. She also told him it was time to release the past and think about the future. She told him to go on with his life and be happy. He reached out to touch her, but she vanished. John awoke in a cold sweat. At first he thought the dream was real. He picked up his glasses that he kept on a nightstand beside his bed. After putting them on and focusing his eyes, he realized it had been a dream and he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He took off his glasses, returned them to the nightstand, laid back down, closed his eyes and returned to a more peaceful sleep.

        John awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. He remembered the dream and the vision of Maggie speaking to him, telling him to release the past and go on with the future.

        As he dressed, John couldn’t help but notice what a beautiful autumn day it was. He turned and gazed out the window. The trees displayed their array of colorful tones each orange, brown and red leaf had it’s own distinctive feature. It was as though he saw them for the first time. They reminded him of Aspen in the fall and the way the valley looked.

        “John are you ready for breakfast?” Sara asked, knocking on his door.

        “I’ll be right there,” he called as he finished shaving and combing his hair.

        As he walked out of his room, he remembered he had brought his camera. He wanted to take some pictures of Sara and Sam to show his family and friends back home. He reached around on a shelf by the door to pick up the case. John loved to take pictures but after Maggie’s death, he put his camera away and never seemed to want to take up his hobby again. He recalled the pictures she had taken of some children and had framed and mounted on the walls in her room. He closed the door and entered the kitchen, he was greeted by the aroma of freshly baked homemade biscuits, his favorite. Sara was busy as
usual, making enough food to feed an army.

        “Did you see the note I had left you last night? We thought you may have gone down to the pond. I left a plate of food for you, did you eat it all, or as I suspect, gave it to Hercules?” She asked him. John looked away sheepishly. “How many times have I told you that you’re getting to thin!” She mildly scolded him for the millionth time.

        “Now Sara, I told you I don’t eat that much but you always insist that I should,” He came over to her, put his arms around her waist and gave her a motherly kiss on the cheek.

        “Sara, leave John alone. Don’t worry son, she’s always trying to fatten you up.” Sam said with a wink as he lowered his morning paper, “Come over here and sit down, your food is getting cold.”

        John and Sara sat down at the table with Sam. John couldn’t recall a morning that Sam didn’t have his usual morning paper. He looked at both of them. He had come to love them both like his own. They were always willing to lend a hand to their fellow neighbors and he remembered Susan saying they, along with Maggie, had helped her and Jenny after her husband’s death.

        “I met a friend, or should I say two, of yours yesterday, Susan and Jenny Hanks. Susan told me she had been a friend of Maggie’s. She seemed nice, but sad. She misses her husband,” John told them, taking a bite full of biscuit.

        “Sounds like you, huh? You know you should put the past behind you and look ahead towards the future. Maggie would have wanted it that way. Sam and I feel that you shouldn’t be so wrapped up in the fact that our daughter’s gone. We know you loved her as we did. It’s time to let go and get out, meet people. Susan is a lovely girl. Jenny is like our granddaughter to us. As a matter of fact, I know Susan doesn’t have to work today and Jenny doesn’t have to go to kindergarten because it’s fall break. Why don’t you take a picnic lunch over there and invite them to join you?” Sara said. As she spoke, she realized
it was time to take the boxes out of Maggie’s old room and give them away. She had been clinging to the past long enough and now it was time to let go.

        “That’s my Sara, always trying to play matchmaker,” Sam winked at his wife of over 45 years. “John she’s right, it’s time to look towards the future. Maggie’s gone, but she’ll never be forgotten.”

        “I know you’re right. Maybe I’ll start by a picnic lunch.” John said, pushing his plate away and standing up. He picked up his camera case from the counter where he had left it and swung it up over his shoulder by it’s strap. “I need one thing first. I realized I never got a picture of you two. Now, outside where I can get a good picture.”

        Sara started to protest, but Sam gently took her by the arm and led her outside.

        “Sara’s still as pretty as she was the day I met her forty seven years ago, don’t you think so John?” Sam asked as he kissed his wife. John noticed her blushing. He recalled how Maggie had blushed easily. He also noticed how much Sara looked liked Maggie.

        "She sure is. That’s it, sit on the porch swing, now smile,” John directed as he focused the camera. He released the shutter and the picture was taken,” That wasn’t so bad now was it? Wait, I want to get another one.” John said taking aim again.

        “John, would you help me chop some wood? The nights are getting a bit nippy and we need to build fires in the wood stove. It won’t take long,” Sam asked as he got up.

        “Sure I’ll be glad to help. I’d like to take some pictures of the area later. It’s beautiful here, I can see why you like it. This is the first time I’ve been here in the Fall,” John replied, sitting his camera down on the swing and walking with Sam to a fallen tree, ready to be chopped into firewood.

        “Brown County and Nashville are beautiful in the Fall. It’s our most popular time of the year for tourists. They come around here from everywhere. If I were you, I’d stay away from Nashville, or at least wait until sundown, too many people,” Sam warned him.

        John had never been to Nashville except once, to make funeral arrangements for Maggie. He didn’t want publicity so he tended to stay away. He nodded in understanding the fatherly advice.

        “After you two finish cutting wood, I’ll make a picnic lunch for this afternoon and you can take it over to Susan and Jenny, alright John?” Sara asked, standing and walking towards the house.

        “Thanks Sara, that will be great,” John told her, picking up his ax and swinging at a fallen tree.

         “Sara means well. She’s tired of seeing you so unhappy. Please humor her,” Sam said taking the second swing with his ax. Sam was still in great health, despite of his age of 65 years.

         They worked hard and as Sara furnished them with drinks, were done by noon. They had chopped enough wood for about a month or so, depending on the weather. They were covered from head to toe with sweat and dirt. They went back into the house and took turns cleaning up and changing clothes.

        “Your picnic lunch is ready whenever you are. Since you didn’t eat much for breakfast, I’ve packed extra,” Sara told John when he entered the kitchen.

        “Thanks Sara,” John said, winking at Sam, who had walked into the room and overheard their conversation.  He just smiled back, she would never change.

        In a few minutes John was ready to go. He picked up his camera case, opened it up again, inspecting to see if he had adequate film, he decided to go his room to get more.

        “Wait a minute, you can’t very well go on a picnic without a blanket.” Sara said hurrying to her room and came back with a red and blue blanket. “We use this one when Sam and I want to go sit out in the yard.”

        “Thanks again, I’ll be back later,” John told them as he tucked the blanket under his arm, picking up his camera and putting the strap over his arm and picking up the picnic basket.

        He left the Evans house and soon found himself almost to Susan’s door. He started to knock, but heard humming coming from behind the cabin. He stopped and listened, Susan was humming Country Roads* as she hung up clothes while Jenny was playing nearby.

        “Is anyone home?” he called out loudly so as not to startle her.  Susan looked up and stopped her chore as Jenny ran to John. He put his load down and swooped her up in his arms, much to her delight. “By the way, what were you humming as I came up?” he teased. It was Susan’s turn to blush as she walked up to greet him.

        “Well, if you don’t know one of your own songs!” she teased him back. John smiled as he saw her blush. “Looks like Jenny has really taken to you. She’s usually very shy with people,“ Susan said with a motherly look of love for her daughter.

        “Guess it’s my natural charm, right Jenny?” he asked the child as he gave her a hug and a wink.

        “Right!” Jenny said, responding in the same fashion. Susan couldn’t help but laugh at their antics.

        “Sara made this huge lunch and I can’t possibly eat it all. I was wondering, if you hadn’t eaten yet,” John asked, “If you would join me.”

        “Please Mommy,” Jenny pleaded with her mother, then tilting her head and asking, ”What’s a picnic?” She had never been on one but if it included John, she was all for it.

        John quickly explained to her what it was and then turned his attention to Susan. Waiting for her reply.

        “I don’t know if we should,” Susan hesitated. He pointed out what a beautiful October day it was and that it was made for such occasions as picnics. She looked from him to her child. She saw the eagerness in Jenny’s eyes and knew that she hadn’t had much pleasure in her young life..

        “Oh, alright. I guess you talked me into it. You’re right about it being a beautiful Fall day. I don’t have to work today. Before we go, I have something that belongs to you. I’ll be right back, just give me a minute.” Susan ran back to the cabin, grabbing the freshly dried clothes as she went. Once she was safely inside, she evaluated herself in a mirror that
hung by the front door.

        She looked younger than her thirty-five years. Although her long auburn hair showed specks of gray, she still was a beautiful woman. She picked up a brush that she kept on a table in front of the mirror. She took out the combs she wore and ran the brush through her hair. She was glad John had come back. It felt good to have someone to talk to besides Jenny. She was starved for adult conversation.

        After a few minutes, she replaced the combs in her hair and laid the brush back on the table.  She glanced once more at herself and satisfied, picked up John’s guitar that was nearby.

        Jenny and John were surveying the contents of the basket.  They found sandwiches, salad and cookies (homemade chocolate chips, John’s favorite).  Sara had also included a small carafe of wine for Susan and John, along with lemonade for Jenny. She had thought of everything. John wondered if she might have some good fairy in her.

        “Where shall we go on our picnic?” Susan asked as she approached them..

        “Wherever you want to go is fine with me,” John said picking up the basket and blanket, “Jenny, will you be in charge of my camera?” Jenny nodded eagerly. She wanted to anything she could to please him.

        “Mommy, can we go down by the pond? It’s my favorite place in the whole world, please?” Jenny asked taking the camera from his shoulder as he bent down. John looked at Susan, knowing how she felt about the pond.

        “Jenny, you know how I haven’t been there very much, it’s too painful...” She began. She noticed her child’s face and how sad it had become. She had told herself that Bill was gone and she should let him go. Maybe this could be a start. “Alright, if that’s what you want, then the pond it is.”

        “It’s settled, are you both ready? Susan, maybe you’d better get sweaters for Jenny and yourself.  It may become cooler later on.” John said, adjusting his load.

        “I’ll be right back,” she called as she ran to the cabin to get jackets for Jenny and herself.  She returned shortly and they were on their way.

        The day had become more beautiful, it was afternoon and the sun shone down on them keeping them warm. Within a few minutes they had reached their destination, the spot beside the pond where they had met for the first time.

        “Today we’ll put all our cares aside and concentrate on having a great time. Sara provided the good food and I might even be persuaded to sing a song or two. Just sit, relax and have fun., “ John requested as  he sat the basket on the ground. Susan placed the guitar next to a tree  and helped him spread out the blanket. They all sat down and Susan appointed herself hostess. As they ate, they watched two little rabbits frolicking near a bush. They laughed at their playfulness.

        “May I offer you some wine, Mr. Denver?” Susan asked grinning, her dimples clearly visible. John found himself drawn to her. After Maggie died he swore he would never let anyone get this close to him again. Yet he caught himself making comparisons of the two. They each had long auburn hair and they were familiar in build. They both had warm personalities, although Maggie had been a bit more timid.

        “John, John? Earth to Mr. Denver, where are you?” Susan asked, disturbing his thoughts, bringing him back to the present.

        “What did you say? I’m sorry, I must have been daydreaming,“ John apologized. He noticed the wine glasses she offered to him.

        “Yes, please, I’d like some.” he said taking one of the glasses from her hand, their fingers touching slightly, making John feel strange inside. Susan felt it also, she looked at him and then turned her attention to Jenny.

        “Would you like some more lemonade, Jenny?” She asked her daughter. The child smiled sweetly and nodded holding out her cup to Susan.

        Jenny loved the outdoors, and this day had been the best day she could remember in her young life. Her mother was happy and even laughing, something she rarely did. And because her mother was happy, she was too.

        As Susan took the thermos of lemonade out of the basket, she noticed a small oblong box on the bottom. She lifted it out and opened it. Inside she found a beautiful porcelain doll. There was a note addressed to Jenny.

        “Jenny look!” She exclaimed as she took the doll out of the box and handed it carefully to her. She read the note out loud,

‘Dear Jenny, I found this tiny ‘baby’ the other day that looked like she needed a Mommy to take good care of her. I knew just who that Mommy is, you. I know I can count on you. Her name is Ellie.
                                                Love, Grandma Sara’

‘Dear Susan,
 This doll belonged to Maggie. I gave it to her on her seventh birthday. I realized it was time to let her go, as Sam and I have told John. We love you and Jenny very much. John has become like a son to us and he needs someone to help him get over Maggie’s death and you over Bill’s. Please find comfort in each other and someday happiness.
    Love Sara & Sam’

        “Alright Mommy,” Jenny said busy playing with her new doll. Susan walked to the edge of the pond. She knew Sara and Sam were right, but she couldn’t let Bill go. She brushed away the stubborn tears as they took control over her. She hadn’t noticed, but John had followed her. She jumped as he touched her shoulder.

        “I know what you’re feeling, I feel the same. It’s hard to let go of someone you’ve lost. Maybe they are right, we shouldn’t forget Maggie or Bill, but remember them in the good times. I’m sorry if Sara note had upset you, she meant well,” He said turning her around and facing him. She didn’t want anyone to see her cry. She hadn’t even let Jenny see her. As she looked into John’s concerned face, she couldn’t help herself. All the emotions she felt came flooding out. He held her as she wept uncontrollably.

        Susan regained her composure and pulled gently away from him. He asked her if she was alright and ready to go back and join Jenny. She nodded and they walked back to where her child sat, who was so busy with her new doll to notice anything was wrong.

        “Oh, Mommy, John, I love Ellie already! This has been the best day of my whole life!” She squealed as she got up and ran over to her mother and hugged her tightly as Susan sat back down. She hugged her daughter back, looked at John and released her after a few minutes. Jenny then moved over to John, who had seated himself beside Susan, and gave him a big hug as well. He winked at Susan, who had managed a weak smile.

        “Thank you for this wonderful day!” Jenny said, her arms still around John’s neck and holding onto her doll.

        “You’re most welcome Jenny,” as he hugged her back. “Now, are you ready for some entertainment?”

        “Oh yes, will you sing the rabbit song?” she asked letting him go. She cradled her new baby, walked over to where John’s guitar was and brought it over to him. He then automatically tuned it and sang Tools*. Jenny sat listening intently with Susan. They both cheered and clapped after he was finished. John then proceeded to sing a variety of songs. The afternoon passed by quickly. After the impromptu concert, John showed Jenny how to catch  a few remaining butterflies, or a least tried. He took pictures of the fantastic Fall trees and the  surrounding area. Susan asked if she could borrow his camera to take pictures of Jenny and him. Jenny and John posed nicely at first then began to clown around. They all had a wonderful time but soon it was time to leave.

        The next few weeks, on Susan’s days off, included the three of them going on lots of picnics, horseback riding in the state park and long afternoon drives in the country. After one picnic beside the pond, John asked if they would like to go fishing with him.

        “Sam’s told me that he caught lots of pretty good size fish in this little pond, the owners are from Indianapolis and they stock it well. They told Sam he could fish whenever he wanted to and he could invite guests. I thought I might try my luck. It’s
getting too late to get poles and gear now, but how about tomorrow morning, around 10:00?” John asked Susan as they were preparing to leave for the day. It was getting pretty late, the sun was starting to go down. Susan almost declined his offer, but changed her mind.

        “We’d love to, wouldn’t we Jenny?” she asked her daughter, knowing by now what the answer would be. Jenny’s eyes lit up at the prospect of being with John again and nodded her head vigorously.

        “I’d better walk you two home,” John said gathering up the blanket and basket. Susan was in charge of carrying his guitar and as usual, Jenny with her baby, had John’s camera in it’s familiar place, safely around her neck.

        After they returned to the cabin, John rearranged his load to include his camera and guitar. He said good-byes and told them he would be by the next day around 10:00.

        Later that evening, as Susan was getting Jenny get for bed, Jenny asked innocently, ”Mommy do you like John a lot?”

        “Yes, Jenny, I like John. Now go to sleep,” Susan answered, handing her doll, Ellie over to Jenny, purposely omitting the word “a lot”.

        Jenny said sleepily as Susan tucked her into bed, “Me too. I want him to be my new daddy.” She snuggled up to her doll and fell asleep. Susan kissed her daughter and after getting ready for bed, fell asleep herself.

        That night found Susan tossing and turning from  a restless slumber. She was torn between the love she still felt for Bill and the surprising feelings she had for John. She could see John’s face, handsome, warm, caring. Then she Bill’s face and hear him
speaking to her, telling her to be happy and let the past go. She awoke with tears in her eyes, her emotions running freely, as they did at the pond. She had remembered the wonderful times she had shared with Bill. Their courtship and wedding, the birth of Jenny, and their excitement of watching her grow. And finally the terrible day the sheriff brought the news Bill had been killed in an accident at the mill.

        She decided it was time, once and for all, to release the ghosts of Bill and continue on with her life and the task of raising Jenny. She didn’t know where, or if, John was included. She liked him alot, as Jenny had suggested, that much she was sure. He made her smile and laugh, something she had denied herself since Bill’s death. He had this funny little grin that whenever he flashed it, made her feel special inside. He was there to comfort her as well.

        Without realizing it, she had spent almost half the night soul searching herself. The sun was beginning to peek above the horizon, she could see her sleeping Jenny silhouette as the darkness gave way to the morning light. She could see her sleeping child as she lay curled up into almost a ball, sucking on her thumb. Jenny’s question of the night before, was innocent enough, after all, she was only six, yet Susan felt almost embarrassed by it. Jenny had said she wanted John to be  her daddy. As she pondered this statement, she heard a knock on the door. She hurried to see who it was at this early hour. John wasn’t
due for several more hours. She threw on a robe and went to answer it. She stood by the door and called out to ask who it was and what they wanted. A man’s voice answered on the other side. He said he and his friend had been in an accident  and his friend had been hurt. Before Susan thought, she opened the door just a crack. She saw two rough looking men, she became frightened and shut the door. She bolted it and ran  to where Jenny slept and woke her gently. She knew they needed help, this was one of those times she wished she’d had a phone. As she quickly helped Jenny get dressed, she whispered to her
daughter to sneak out the back window and go get John, they needed his help. By now the two men were pounding on the front door, their voices loud with rage. She wished she didn’t have to put her child through this ordeal, but they had no choice.

        “Honey, we have to have John’s help.  Can you run and go get him? “  Susan asked her. Jenny now fully awake, sensed something wrong. Without a word, she nodded her head. “Hide yourself behind bushier trees so they won’t see you. Please Jenny, be careful, Mommy loves you.” Susan whispered, her voice trying not to sound as afraid as she was.

        They quickly went into the kitchen, not making a sound. Susan’s heart was racing so fast, she was sure Jenny heard it. She gave her child a hug and helped her out a window. Jenny knew that she had to find John and she ran as fast as she could.

        After she was sure Jenny was safely hidden in the woods, Susan returned to the front door, praying it would hold under the men’s constant beating. Just then the door gave way and the two men boldly walked into the cabin. Susan could smell the strong odor of liquor on their breath even from a few feet away. She withdrew from them even further, wrapping her robe tightly around her.

        “Nice little body, ‘ey Jim? I haven’t been with a woman for five years. Can’t get that in prison, this ought to be good!” One of the men said reaching for her. Susan back away and sidestepped as the man fell on the floor. He crawled to a chair and hauled himself up.

        “What do you want? I haven’t any money, there’s nothing here you’d want.” Susan said trembling with fear.

        “Come on Don, later, she ain’t goin’ no where. I’m hungry and I want some food. We didn’t git any last night before the break.” Jim said to his companion, leering at Susan.

        “Yeah, Jim. I’m hungry, but not for food. come over here!” The man named Don ordered Susan who had back away from him as far as she could. He lunged for her but she got away once again. This time Don kept his balance. She spotted the door and mentally tried to gauge her distance, just as she reached it, he grabbed her. She screamed and he hit her across her face. Susan’s head reeled from the blow and she could taste blood in her mouth. Don tore at her robe, ripping it opened. She tried to fight back but he was too powerful, even in his alcohol induced state. He pulled her to him and she could smell his
foul breath on her neck as he kissed her, all she could do was close her eyes and fight off the nausea that threatened to take over her. She prayed Jenny had reached John. At least her daughter wouldn’t witness this.

        Suddenly the cabin door opened, revealing John and Sam. Sam held a rifle. John demanded Don release Susan. Don just laughed and produced a knife from his waistband, and held it to Susan’s throat. Susan began to cry. Jim stood beside Don grinning, as if already the victors.

        “Come on, country boy, save your girlfriend. We’ve been in prison for rape and murder, one more ain’t gonna make no difference!” Don challenged John. Anger set in on both of John and Sam., John knew he had to get centered. He drew a deep breath in and slowly released it. He began to get centered and thought clearly. John hated violence but he couldn’t stand to see Susan like this.

        “Let’s just remain calm. I’m sure we can work out something,” John said as he studied the man holding Susan against her will. He tried  to survey the situation and think of the best way to handle it. He was forming a plan when his thoughts were interrupted by the man named Don.

        “Put the gun down old man, now!” Don growled at Sam. He had no choice but to do as he was instructed. If they made one wrong move, they had no doubts that the murderer wouldn’t hesitate to use the knife. All Susan could think about was her child, she didn’t want Jenny to witness any of this.

        John knew that these men must have escaped from a nearby prison and it was just a matter of time before the police would be searching for them. They would either kill Susan or take her as a hostage. He heard a strange male voice, at first he thought it was one of the convicts or Sam, or even his mind playing tricks on him, but when he glanced at them, they were all silent.

        The voice whispered to him, "When I say now, hit the man holding Susan,” the voice seemed to come out of nowhere. Before he could ponder on it farther, a round baseball size wooden ball seemed to appear out of nowhere hit Don’s head, causing him to drop his weapon and clutch his head. The knife fell on the floor and John kicked it out of his reach under a desk. Susan saw her chance to escape her captor and ran out of his reach, tears streaming down her swollen face.

        John knocked Don down on the floor and they fought briefly, blood flowed freely from a gash on Don’s head from the wound the ball had inflected on him, slowing him down. Sam, who had meanwhile picked up his rifle, held Jim at bay. John hit Don with a powerful punch, knocking him to the floor in a heap. They could hear sirens screaming in the distance, John suppose Sara had called them.

        After the sheriff arrived, handcuffed the fugitives and took them away, John went to Susan, who had huddled on the floor near a corner shaking violently. He knelt down and held her as she wept. His thoughts were what could have happened if Sam wasn’t there to help him fight the escaped convicts.

        Now that he had time to gather his thoughts, his eyes searched for the wooden ball. He saw it laying near the cabin door. He got up, still holding Susan, and went over to pick it up and examined it and tried to come up with a logical explanation on how it had got there and that voice he had heard had come from. He couldn’t understand it.

        A paramedic, which he hadn’t noticed, asked Susan if she was alright, John told him that he would take her to the hospital himself. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair as she clung to him as if she was afraid he would leave her. The
paramedic put a blanket around her. John tried to soothe and comfort her as he lead her out of the cabin and to Sam’s car. Susan’s legs almost buckled under her and John held her tighter, she was still in shock. John made sure that she was alright in the passagers seat and then went around to the drivers side. He had driven Sam to Susan’s and still had the keys.

        John drove her to the hospital to be checked over. She still shook uncontrollably, he put a protective arm around her. She leaned against him.

        Once at the hospital, the E.R. nurses took over. After a few minutes, the doctor who had examined her, came out and told John she was suffering from shock. A nurse had given her a sedative to make her sleep. He learned that Susan was experiencing a normal reaction considering the trauma she had just gone through. The doctor wanted to keep her overnight just to make sure. The doctor asked John if he was all right. John assured him except for a few bruises, he was fine.

        After he left the doctor, John went to call Sara and Sam to inform them what was happening.. He told them he wanted to stay awhile with Susan. Sara told him to stay as long as he wanted. They would take care of Jenny and try to explain that her Mommy was ok. John thanked them and hung up. He returned to  the room where Susan had been and discovered she had been moved to a private room. A nurse directed him to where she as.

        As he entered the room, he couldn’t help but think about the last time he’d been to a hospital, the day Maggie had died. He saw Susan’s still form lying in a bed, her steady breathing was that of deep sleep. He pulled a chair next to her bed and watched as she slept. He reached out and gently stroked her long hair, absentmindedly. He had come so close to losing her that he realized just how much she’d come to mean to him. He already loved Jenny and now he knew he loved her mother as well.

        A nurse came in to check on Susan and see if John needed anything. He told her he was fine and that he wanted to stay with Susan a while longer. She told him that she would look in on them later and left.

        “John, she was my wife, I loved her and Jenny very much. It’s been four long years since my death and she has to let someone else into her life. I want her and Jenny to be happy again, you can help them. Susan will be alright, but she and Jenny will need your help,” a voice said. John recognized it as the same voice that he had heard in the cabin.

        Suddenly John saw what appeared to be a ghostly figure of a man. He remembered the photo of the man on Susan’s mantel that she had said was her late husband Bill, the apparition vanished. Susan stirred slightly from her drug induced sleep. Her face looked like that of a child except for the big bruise that Don had inflicted upon her. She opened her eyes and spoke for the first time since her ordeal.

        “Where am I? What happened?” Susan questioned John, in almost a whisper, as she looked around the room and finally her eyes staring into his. By some miracle she couldn’t remember what had happened. He thought quickly of something to say.

        “Don’t you remember? We were going fishing with Jenny, you slipped on a rock and hit your head. We’re at Bloomington Hospital. Your doctor examined you but he couldn’t find a bump. He said he’s seen cases like this before,” John lied. He excused himself and left the room. He found Susan’s doctor and quickly explained that she had no recollection at all of what happened. The doctor told him it was because her ordeal was too painful that her subconscence blocked it out completely. He told John she may never remember.

        Susan’s doctor alerted all his staff not to say a word to her about what happened.  John knew it would be in the papers so he contacted the newspaper offices and requested them not to print anything about Susan being there or what happened, they agreed.

        Someone had turned a t.v. on somewhere and John heard it as he entered Susan’s room. She had heard it too.

        “Singer John Denver became a hero today. Two convicts escaped from Indiana State Prison late last night, finding there way to Brown County and the rural home of Mrs. Susan Hanks. Mr. Denver, with the aid of Sam Evans, a local resident , overpowered the two convicts. No one was injured. A $50,000.00 reward goes to both heroes. Turning to more news...” John walked out of the room to turn off the set and came back to Susan.

        “John, why didn’t you tell me? Why am I here? Where is Jenny? Please tell me,”  Susan pleaded with John to tell her the truth.

        “Jenny’s fine. She is with Sara and Sam. I didn’t tell you the truth because I didn’t want to upset you. They, the escapees, frightened you, you fainted and hit your mouth. I decided to have a doctor look at you, that’s all,” John said, telling her the truth in part.  Continuing he said,” When I saw the two men, I suddenly realized how much you and Jenny mean to me. I never thought I would love again but I was wrong, I love you. and Jenny. Will you marry me?” John came over to her bed., took her gently in his arms and kissed her, this time she responded back. A few days ago she would have said no to his proposal, even though she felt the same way about him. Now something had changed, something told her this was right. She smiled and replied with a yes as John released her.

        He called Sara and Sam with their wonderful news. They were delighted. John asked to speak to Jenny, he assured her that her Mommy was alright and asked her permission to marry her mother. Susan could hear her daughter’s squeals of delight.

        John paid off the land the cabin stood and they donated the reward money to a children’s charity in both Maggie’s and Bill’s name. Sam and Sara asked them if they would promise to keep it as their summer home. John asked Sam to be his best man and Susan asked Sara to be their matron of honor, they both excepted happily and Jenny was their flower girl..

        The wedding took place in Aspen, Colorado where John lived, now becoming Susan’s and Jenny’s new home. As the ceremony took place and Susan was about to take her traditional walk, she uttered a small prayer of thanks to God, Maggie and Bill. John did the same. Sara and Sam had tears in their eyes as Susan and John became husband and wife, but they were tears of joy at seeing three people happy at last.
 
 

* Take Me Home, Country Roads- written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert & John Denver
* Tools- written by John Denver
 

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