Chapter 2

18 years later

Roxanne strolled through the bright woods with a gun on her shoulder as she looked for a place to sit and hunt. She swept her short blonde hair out of her face as she knelt down in some brush. Now eighteen she was a full grown woman and her father had intended she would be married soon. Then again he had been trying to marry her off since she was 16. However every suitor that came to call never lasted long. As her father would say she was beautiful like the wild horses but she also had their temperament. Roxanne didn't know what she wanted but she figured her gut would tell her when the right man would come along.

Gabriel lay in the brush with Thomas as they waited for something to shoot. "I swear if we don't see a damn thing and Roxy brings home any I will quit hunting," Thomas said. Gabriel laughed, "Well she is one of the best shoots in South Carolina," "I don't care, she is a girl and girls should where dresses and cook and clean," Thomas pleaded. "Have you met our sister, I don't even think Abigail will let her back into the kitchen after the water incident," Gabriel said. "How do you burn WATER?!" Thomas exclaimed as Gabriel howled with laughter. "It's no wonder you guys never get anything your scaring the pheasants out of the south." Roxanne said as her brothers turned around looking at there oldest sister who had a triumphant smirk as she held 6 pheasants. Gabriel sighed as he looked up at her. "How long have you been out here?" he asked. "Probably about an hour." She replied smiling. "I hate you." Thomas said exasperated. "We have been out here for at least 3 hours and we haven't seen a damn thing," "Well if you would shut up maybe you would," Roxy said rolling her big blue eyes, "Come on the post rider should be here soon and I want to take King for a run." "I swear you spend more time with that animal then anyone should," Gabriel laughed. "Well he is better company then you two," With that Roxanne turned and started to walk back to the house.

Benjamin Martin stood in his workshop looking out towards the woods as Roxanne, Gabriel and Thomas came out. He smiled to himself when he saw Gabriel and Thomas carrying the birds because he knew that his little girl had been the one to actually get the phesents. Ben sighed as he rubbed his temples. His little girl was less little he thought to himself. He had hoped that she would be married and have children of her own already. But every man who had sought out Roxanne's affections was quickly shoved off. She was no longer the premature child who almost died that night, nor the giggling little girl who refused to where dresses because Gabriel and Thomas didn't where them. She was a smart, strong, and independent woman who refused to settle. Even Charlotte, Elizabeth's sister couldn't tame her. The thought of Elizabeth came into his mind and he forced back the tears even after years it still hurt. Her death had been hard on all the children especially Susan. Roxanne seemed unaffected by it as she consoled the other children and even him. But Ben did see her in King's stall holding the giant black stallion as she wept.

His thoughts were short lived as Roxanne came strolling into the barn. "Hi dad," she said grinning as she grabbed a brush out of the bucket next to King's stall. Ben smiled at his daughter. "So I take it Thomas will be in a foul mood tonight," he said grinning. "Probably," she smirked. "Do you think you will ever where a dress," Ben sighed looking at her tall riding boots, black breeches and white shirt." "Maybe on my wedding day," Roxy grinned throwing the brush into the bucket and grabbing King's saddle and bridal. "Let's get a man to court you for more then 3 days first," Benjamin responded. Roxanne laughed as she lead the big black stallion out of the stall. "Are you going to be home for supper," Ben questioned. Roxanne nodded as she jumped on the horse. "I will see you tonight I'm just going to run through the woods for a while." She explained. Before Ben could say anything else she kicked King and took off to the woods. Benjamin shook his head.