Chapter 1
In the summer of 1906, Mandie Shaw and Celia Hamiltion arrived at Uncle John's house in Franklin, North Carolina.
They had just graduated from the College of Chalston. Mandie was now a detective, and Celia was a nurse and dective alog with Mandie.
"I bet you're excited to see Joe", Celia said as they walked towards Mandie's house with a suggestive smile."After all, we haven't seen him since Christmas time."
"Well, yes", Mandie replied then seeing her best friend's look said "Oh don't you start!"
"What? I didn't say anything."
Mandie aggrivatedly shook her head at her friend about to say something just as Liza opened the door.
"Oh, welcome home, Missy 'Manda!" Liza danced around excitedly.
"Good to be home, Liza." Mandie said hugging Liza.
Suddenly, everyone was greeting Mandie and Celia at once.
Celia and Jonathan greeted each other with a kiss and Mandie stared awkardly. "Mandie, you did know we are engaded, right?" Celia questioned.
"Oh, yes yes I did." Mandie replied turning to her mother.
"Welcome home, Amanda!" Elizabeth Shaw said hugging and kissing her daughter."You must be tired from your trip. Supper is almost ready."
"Hi, Mandie!" Mandie heard from behind her.
"Hi, Joe." She replied going back to where Celia and Jonathan were standing.
"Why are you avoiding him?" Celia asked.
"I'm not!"
"Yes you-" Celia was cut off when Aunt Lou announced that supper was ready.
After they were finished eating, they all gathered in the parlor.
"Amanda, I've got a whole bunch of new books in my library I think you and your friends would like."
"Thank you, Uncle John. We'll go right now."
"Good, the door is open." Uncle John smiled.
"Don't take to long, dear." Elizabeth said.
"We won't." Mandie left the room with her friends.