Beauregard dreaded bringing up his past mistake, but he knew that it was time to do so. Destiny was finally talking to him, and it was time to clear the air with her.

Destiny was backing out of the boardinghouse with a bunch of papers in her hand trying to close the door when she stumbled and fell to the porch. Beauregard saw it happen but he was too far away to rescue her. He quickened his pace and hurried up to her. "Destiny, are you alright," he asked as he helped her to her feet.

"I'm fine. I just tripped." Destiny started swatting at her dress to make sure it wasn't dirty, and then she started gathering her papers, and Beauregard gave her a helping hand.

"Are you going somewhere?" Beauregard asked as he put the last of the papers into her hands.

"Yes, I was on my way over to the PEG. I need to put this announcement in the paper and see what Jacy wants to volunteer for." Destiny straightened out the papers.

"What announcement?" Beauregard asked.

"The Starshine Squares are going to have a Turkey Trot. Caller Bob is sponsoring it at his place. And I'm going over to the PEG to get Jacy to run the announcement. I'm coordinating everything to help Caller Bob out."

"Uh . . . ummm Destiny I wanted to talk to you?" Beauregard stated.

"Can't it wait? I really wanted to get this done." Destiny saw the disappointing expression on Beauregard's face and reconsidered. "Oh, alright. Come on in. I can do this later."

Destiny led Beauregard into the kitchen. They had some coffee and pastries and Beauregard began the conversation. "Uh . . . ummm I wanted to apologize for my behavior that night Destiny. I don't know what happened. I've never done that before or since. I feel horrible about it."

"As you should. I can't believe I let you back into my life after what you did." Destiny couldn't look him directly in the face. The pain of long ago was still there. It has just been buried, but now with his words it was resurfacing again.

"I'm very sorry, but I'm truly glad that you have let me back in your life. I wish there was something that I could do to make it up to you." Beauregard remorsefully stated.

"Well, there's nothing you can do. You can't change the past." Destiny flatly replied.

"I know I can't change the past, but maybe I could make the present and future better for you." Beauregard looked at her, but she kept her gaze at the tabletop below her. "What would you like to have? I can get it for you."

"I want my innocence back." She rose to her feet and angrily shouted at him. "How could you have been so horrible to me after I was your friend?"

"I know your angry. I understand that. I can't give that back to you, but ask me of something else, and I'll see what I can do. A house? Land? Anything but that which I can't give you. Please Destiny, I want you to forgive me. My life means nothing to me if you don't forgive me." Beauregard stood up and went to her.

She backed off. "There's nothing you can offer me that will make me forget what you did to me." Frustrated and mad Destiny stormed out of the kitchen and ran up to her room. Beauregard didn't follow her. Sadly he returned to his own hotel room. Emotions from rage to quilt to sadness ran through Destiny until she just collapsed on her bed and couldn't think any more. Tears ran down her eyes as she hugged her pillow to her face. What if it had never happened to her? She could still be living with her parents until the right gentleman came along. Thoughts ran like locomotives through her head until she was so exhausted that she feel asleep.

When Destiny awoke it was mid-afternoon and she couldn't believe that she had slept so long. She freshened up, collected the papers and headed over to the PEG. On her way she saw the stagecoach. She stopped in her tracks surprised to see Beauregard handing up some luggage to Dev who stood on top. Was he leaving? She continued her trek over to the PEG and stood outside on the boardwalk.

Beauregard saw Destiny but decided it was best to leave her be. He helped Miss Josie into the stagecoach and then climbed on in to sit across from her.

He was leaving! Desiree walked over to the stagecoach. She didn't know what to say so she just stood there. Josie saw her and motioned with her head towards the window. Beauregard turned and looked. He smiled at her.

"Your leaving?" Destiny asked.

"Yes, I have important business elsewhere. I might be back someday though." Beauregard replied.

Destiny got closer to his window and said, "I may not be able to forget, but I think I can forgive you. I just want to put it all behind me."

"Thanks Destiny, you don't know how much this means to me." Beauregard smiled down at her. "I also want you to know that I know about Jemima."

Puzzled Destiny looked into his eyes. "You do?"

"Yes, It wasn't hard to figure out after I saw her. She has my eyes and chin," he said as the stagecoach started off. "But don't worry I won't tell her. I'll let you do that."