It wasn't long before Lucille Ames' father made the decision to abandon her just as her mother had done months earlier. Finding herself alone at the age of sixteen, she had to find a way to survive. A few years of struggle would lead her to the Convent of St. Francis. There she found refuge and the kindness of Sister Ann. Their mission was to tend to the sick together and show them the love of God. During one of their visits to town, Grace Ames sought their help for her youngest son Hunter who was suffering from illness. Sister Ann saw the need to leave Lucille behind to watch over Hunter for two days tending to his needs. Those two days would change Lucille's life once more. As Hunter recovered, Grace discovered the value of Lucille's friendship. The two women became very good friends over the next year as Lucille visited the family often. When Grace became terminally ill, it was Lucille that stayed by her side and watched over her two boys, Caleb and Hunter. Close to death, Grace's dying wish was that Lucille watch over and raise her sons, with the help of their uncle, Pastor Tom who lived and worked for the church in the town of Willow Creek. Lucille did her best to keep that promise. After the funeral, she packed up the boys to make the three day journey to Willow Creek to find Pastor Tom. Upon arriving the situation became more than disappointing. With two hungry, tired children to care for, she found that Pastor Tom was not where he was supposed to be. As she looked desperately to find him, Elizabeth Davis spotted the three who were in need and offered a good meal and a place to rest. It is here that Lucille's new life would begin in the midst of the Davis Family raising the two boys she had grown to love.