Here is the prequel! I'm gonna warn you now. Chapter 4 is a very abrupt lemon. I'll put it up later. I really don't have time to post this one, but I promised, so here ya go!

00. You & Me: Lifehouse

It was the end of November 1914. I was staring off of the balcony, looking down at the country and forest around me while the brisk wind blew my midnight black curls around like crazy. It was a rural area, but most small towns in the South were—least they used to be. Cullman, Alabama's what we called it, even out here in the county. City just got a new high school and everything.

It was a boring place to live, but what can you do? At seventeen years old, you really can't disobey your parents and move out on your own, especially in a society where women are nothing more than housewives and property. Prettiest place I've ever been, though.

That's not really saying much, since I ain't been nowhere before besides here, but it was pretty and safe. I had to give it that.

My mother stepped outside with me with a cigarette in her hand, her dress half undone, and her bronze hair hanging shaggily on her shoulders. Her intriguing blue eyes grabbed mine in an instant. It was the only trait I got from her, and I was glad I did. It was her most beautiful trait, and besides her eyes, my older sister Maria was the spitting image of her.

"Your father will be home soon. We should get inside and finish supper."

I heard someone knock on the door, and Momma jumped a little. "I'll get it, Ma. You just go in your room and have Miss Elizabeth button ya up."

She nodded and scurried back inside, doing just like I asked and heading up the stairs. I just went inside, locked the balcony, and moved downstairs myself. The balcony was on the third floor, so I had to hurry. Thankfully, around the house, I was allowed to walk barefoot in order to move quicker. Dresses were required, though, in case any young gentlemen came by and tried to court me.

There was only one gentleman I wanted to court me, but I'd only seen him once, didn't even know who he was. He was with Maria one day, walking her through town, and if I asked her, she would've gotten upset, so I never saw him after that. Never found out who he was.

When I answered the door, I saw the most attractive gentleman I had ever seen—the one I had dreamed of being the man to court me. He had short, straight charcoal black hair, and his eyes were so mysterious and piercing. They went well with his olive colored skin. He had broad shoulders, and he was very lean—full of all kinds of muscles. From the way he was dressed, I could see he was a working man, not an upper class man my father wanted for me.

I tried to shut him out of my mind instantly, but it was impossible, especially the way he was looking at me. He wasn't looking at my protruding chest or gazing at me as if I was some prize to be won. In his eyes, I was a beautiful human being, and there was a strange aura of comfort radiating off of him. I felt as if he genuinely cared, and neither of us had even said a word!

He gave me a courteous smiled and bowed a little. "Good mornin', ma'am."

My eyebrows rose, but I was biting my lip. It was something I did when I tried to look uninterested, raised my eyebrows, but I always bit my lip when I saw something I wanted. Contradiction, I know, but it was just what I did. Usually the two things didn't go together. They just did here.

"You here to see my father?" I asked curiously in the most polite way I could without showing any kinds of anything besides courtesy. "He ain't here right now. He stepped away."

"No, ma'am," he answered. "My sister, Miss Elizabeth Mosley, has been courted, and I was asked to retrieve her."

"Come on in!" I exclaimed, eyes bright. I didn't have to hide anything now. "That's incredible! She didn't think—oh. You probably already know. I'll go get her right away. Elizabeth!"

She slowly began descending the stairs, making sure her hair was still neat and pinned back in the sandy blonde bun she had it in. Her chocolate brown eyes didn't look to the guest, because I was standing at the edge of the stairs when she was within eyesight. "Yes, Miss Abigail?"

I gestured to her brother. "Your brother has some exciting news for you."

He smiled over at me and then to her. "You've been courted, Lizzie. John Meyers from down the road talked to Pa today. He's waiting for you at the house. The wedding's tomorrow."

Her eyes widened as she gasped and covered her mouth with her tiny olive hands. "Tomorrow? We'll, I'll be! Abby, darling, I'm sorry to leave ya like this, but I must go. Do promise me you'll come tomorrow."

"Of course," I laughed and hugged her. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll pack your things immediately."

She gasped. "Oh, no, Abby. I'll get them. Mr. Meyers can wait j—"

"No," I insisted. "Go to him. The two of y'all have lots to do before tomorrow! I can take care of it. It's no big deal, honey."

She turned to her brother with pleading eyes. "Nicholas, will you please stay and help her? I would feel awful if I left it to her."

"Go on," he nodded. "I can handle this."

"Momma, do make sure to stay in your room if you're not properly dressed!" I called up the stairs before turning back to Nicholas. "Her room is right up these stairs. Honestly, Mr. Mosley, I can handle it."

Those darks orbs, which had been looking around him in the big gold room of the mansion in wonder, shot right back to me and held my gaze. "It's no problem, ma'am. 'Sides, there will be a lot of madness around my place anyways. One less person to get in the way."

"You married?" I asked curiously. "Seems to be all anyone ever talks about nowadays."

"No, ma'am," he answered curtly. "There's one woman I want to marry, but I ain't got a chance of courtin' her, and you know how casual dating goes 'round here."

"I do," I agreed. "But you don't know you ain't got a chance. You should always try. A girl might just want you to court her, and a girl has more pull over her father sometimes than you realize."

He smiled courteously. "I'm sure they do. I may just do that."

And that was how I met Nicholas Mosley.