Calvin somehow heard the that there were chestnuts, so he headed to the nearby vige, borrowed some tools, and spent the morning picking chestnuts with the kids.


    By the afternoon, Rosalynn gathered Ivy and Cory, saying, "Don''t run around, y with your dad too."


    "Kids y with kids, mom and dad should y together!" Ivy reasoned.


    Normally, Rosalynn would haveughed. But now, she couldn''t find it funny..


    As she watched Ivy take off running again, her heart filled with bitterness.


    Ivy now spent every possible moment with her dad. If she didn''t see him, she wouldn''t even enjoy her food.


    Wayne was about to be sent to the testingb, his return date uncertain. Ivy was going to be heartbroken.


    Two joyful days passed quickly amongst the trees and flowing streams.


    They lingered until 4:30 in the afternoon, packed up their tents, cleaned the area, and reluctantly embarked on their journey home.


    "The park ranger said it snows here in the winter." On the way back, Ivy and Cory decided to sit with Rosalynn and Wayne.


    Ivy sat by the window, letting the wind brush against her cheek, "Mom, Dad, can wee back when it snows?N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    The park ranger showed me pictures of the adorable squirrels he took in the snowst year!"


    "We can, but there are other ces with even more beautiful snow. We''ll take you there sometime." Rosalynn gently responded.


    "By the way!" Ivy turned to Wayne excitedly, "Dad, don''t you remember? When we first met, you told me about skiing, and even showed me a video of you doing it. It was so cool! When your leg is better, can we go to the Rockies? Can you teach me how to ski?" Ivy''s eyes twinkled with anticipation.


    Wayne looked at his daughter''s hopeful eyes. His left leg still felt incredibly heavy, but he nodded, "Sure thing, girl. I''ll get better as fast as I can"


    "Of course!" Ivy was overjoyed, "Once I learn well, Trista will be old enough, and I can teach her!"


    "Didn''t you say you were going to give Trista a present every day? Yesterday it was a beautiful pebble, what about today?" Rosalynn asked. "Today it''s a really pretty leaf! When we get home, I''ll turn it into a leaf specimen and frame it!"


    Rosalynn thought her daughter was just being whimsical.


    She didn''t expect Ivy to take it so seriously.


    As the GPS showed they were getting closer to Moonlit Lake, a cloud of worry once again cast a shadow over Rosalynn''s heart.


    In reality, everyone in the group, except for the kids and Wayne, all had a cloud of worry hanging over them.


    They all knew what going home implied.


    By the time they reached Moonlit Lake, it waspletely dark. The house staff had already prepared dinner. Paige and Baillie were also waiting at home.


    Upon arriving home, Ivy quickly washed her hands and changed clothes, then went to see her little sister. "She really is...so loving." Rosalynn said, smiling at Paige.


    Paige''s smile was somewhat forced, but Rosalynn didn''t say anything.


    During dinner, Rosalynn told Cory and Ivy about the uing work trip with their father.


    Ivy seemed a bit upset, "How long will you be gone?"


    "Not long." Rosalynn replied.


    In the past, Ivy would have been so upset she couldn''t eat, but things were different now.


    She was growing up, bing stronger.


    Though she was sad, she nodded obediently, "Mommy, Daddy, don''t worry about us. Just focus on your work!"