Chapter 1

Dimitri POV

I woke up early that summer morning to the rising Texas sun. Mama was in the kitchen with my sisters preparing breakfast and I dressed and set out to do my chores. Ever since papa had passed away I had been the man of the house. I did all of the heavy work on the farm and my sisters helped where they could. I had a few hired hands to help during the harvest and one that helped year around with the cattle and horses. Eddie and Mason were my helpers during the harvest of the fields, but Christian stayed with us in the small apartment above the barn as a daily helper. I hurried through my chores that morning so that I could go and see Roza. We had been friends for as long as I can remember, but I had feelings for her that went deeper than friendship. I hadn't seen her in a few days and I was beginning to worry. Christian helped with the chores and we both entered the house as breakfast was finished. I ate quickly so that I could go and see her. My mama and babushka gave me curious looks throughout breakfast and I vaguely wondered why. After breakfast I saddled my horse and rode the short distance over to their farm.

As the farm house came into view I was surprised that there was no one out doing chores or something. Roza was always outside and finding that she wasn't outside was concerning. I got off my horse and went to knock on the door. I knocked several times with no answer. I thought that was strange and rode quickly back to my house. After I put my horse in the barn, I entered the kitchen and found mama.

"Mama, I went to the Mazur farm to see Roza and there was no answer. Do you know anything about it?" Mama sighed and looked at the floor sadly. She reached above the counter and handed me a letter that was written in Roza's handwriting. I sat down at the table and opened the letter.

Dear Dimitri,

I am sorry to tell you this way but papa has taken a new job and we have to move. I don't want to leave my friends here but I have to go where my family goes. Papa only told me a day or so ago and I am so sorry that I couldn't do this in person. You have been a wonderful friend to me and I love you for that. Grandma still lives nearby and I'm sure that I will visit her frequently. Please say goodbye to Eddie, Mason and Christian for me.

Your friend Rose

I was suddenly aware that there were small tears coming down my face without my consent. I realized that I loved Roza and now it was too late to tell her. I ran out of the house to the old oak tree between the two farms. I pulled out my pocket knife and carved a heart and our initials in the center. I carved the date below it and sat under the tree until it was nearly dark. The next several days went much the same way. I didn't talk to anyone much and I just did my chore wordlessly. I wondered to myself if I would ever see her again.

Rose POV

I got up early and went to do my chores around the farm. Papa had just come back last night from Houston and he seemed really happy. Our farm was several hours away from the Houston so we didn't go unless there was a reason. I did my chores in record time so that I could go and see Dimitri. He was my closest friend and we got along great. I think that I was beginning to have romantic feelings for him but I wasn't sure. When I came into the kitchen for breakfast, mama and papa were quiet but papa had a large smile on his face. Mama looked up at me sympathetically and I wondered what that was about.

"Rose you need to go upstairs after breakfast and pack your things." Papa said. I was confused.

"Why do I need to pack? Where are we going, and for how long?" I asked honestly curious.

"We are moving Rose." Those words stopped my heart. "I got a job in Houston and we will have to move there. We are leaving later today so get your things packed after breakfast."

"Papa I don't want to move. I love it here and I have friends here." I stated.

"I'm sorry Rose but the decision has already been made. Go pack your things." He said with finality. I pushed the chair back roughly and ran upstairs to my room. I would never see Dimitri again. I wouldn't see any of my friends ever again and I began to cry. I composed myself and sat down to write a quick letter to Dimitri. I packed my things and asked mama to have the letter delivered to the Belikov's farm. When everything was packed and loaded into the moving van, I got in the car and sat there waiting for someone to tell me that this was some sick joke. They didn't. At 14 years old, I was doomed to make new friends and start my life over.

We made it to Houston and papa had bought a small farmhouse just outside of town. There was another small farmhouse in the distance and it only reminded me that I had left all of my friends and moved to where I knew no one. I unpacked my things into my room and went to explore my new home before dinner. I walked out to the barn where our horses had been brought and put in the stalls. I gathered my tack and saddled my horse. Majestic was my three year old paint mare. I took her out of the barn and rode her to the edge of our new property, towards the small farmhouse in the distance. I could only hope that there would be someone here that was close to me in age. As I approached the house, a blonde girl and boy came out to greet me. The boy appeared to be several years older but the girl seemed to be my age. They smiled at me as I got down from my horse.

"Hi, you must be the new neighbors." The blonde girl stated. "I'm Lissa and this is my brother Andre."

"Hey, I'm Rose. We just moved in today. I didn't want to come but papa made me." I said.

"Well I'm sure that you will like it here before long. I have a feeling that we are going to be good friends." Lissa said. Andre just stared at me. Lissa elbowed him causing him to break out of his trance.

"Well I have to get back to the house before mama sends a search party after me." I said and mounted my horse. I said goodbye to them and rode back to the house. Mama and papa were just sitting down to supper when I came in the door. I quickly ran upstairs and got cleaned up for supper and rushed back down. I sat down without saying anything to mama or papa. I was mad that we had to move. I wouldn't have minded as much if they would have given me some kind of warning so I could properly warn my friends.

"Rose, I'm sorry that we had to move, but it's what's best for the family. School will start here soon so you and mama can go with me into the city tomorrow to get your supplies. This job will allow us to have a little more money for the things we need." Papa pleaded. I sighed.

"I know papa, I just wished that I had some time to say goodbye to my friends. They are all I've had since I can remember." He nodded in understanding.

"I understand how you're feeling Rose. I had to agree to move so quickly or they would give the job to someone else. If I could've stalled the move I would have." Papa said sadly.

We finished supper and I went to my room. The next morning I went to town with mama and papa to get my supplies for school. Everything seemed to go smoother after the first week. I still missed my friends, but the pain in my heart was somewhat bearable. I made a few friends and Lissa became the closest friend. Another girl named Mia started to hand out with us at school. The years went by without a lot of action or drama. Before I knew it, it was my eighteenth birthday. Graduation would be soon and I was excited to go out on my own. I was finishing the last of my homework that Saturday before my afternoon chores when the phone rang. Mama answered it and I watched as her face fell. Whatever the call was, it was bad news. I went to the yard and called for papa. He rushed inside and watched as mama put the phone back on the receiver. She began to cry harder and when she finally calmed down she said something that I wasn't expecting anytime soon.

"Grandma died last night. They are having the funeral in two days." She said between her tears.

"Janine I can't take off work, but you and Rose should go. Her grades are good enough that she could miss a few days of school and I don't want you to go alone." Papa said. Mama understood that his job wouldn't let him be absent much and she finally agreed. The next day I asked if Lissa could go too so that we could study while we were out of school. Lissa's parents agreed to let her go and mama and papa agreed as well.

We loaded the car with our overnight bags and set off towards the country. We were heading to grandma's funeral, but little did I know we were also headed to my past.