Hello to whoever reads this! This is another Mandie fanfic. I, the author, who usually hates Love\Romance novels, make and exception when it comes to Mandie (and Spirit:Stallion of the Cimarron,). I feel like I have grown up with Mandie and her friends, and Mandie and Joe are very near and dear to my slightly crammed-full heart. Anyway enjoy the chappie! It's kinda short, and boring, but I promise It will get better! Also If I get just ONE review, I promise to faithfully try and submit a chappie once a week! Without further ado, the chappie! -EquestrianIntrovert?
Chapter 1
"Celia, Hurry!" exclaimed Mandie.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Said Celia, shaking her head as she walked towards the train.
Mandie and Celia had recently graduated college, and they were getting on the train to Franklin. They got on the train and sat down.
"Now, who did you invite to your house for New Years?" asked Celia.
Mandie pursed her lips and thought for a moment.
"Let's see, I invited Uncle Ned, Uncle Wirt, Dimar, Sallie, Grandmother, Tommy, and of course Robert," here Mandie paused and grinned at Celia, who blushed, and glanced at the ring on her finger. It was a beautiful green emerald, surrounded by little diamonds that sparkled in the light.
Robert had proposed to Celia recently, and Celia had accepted.
"Go on, Mandie," urged Celia.
"And Joe-"
"And Joe of course," interrupted Celia, grinning at Mandie.
Mandie blushed.
"And Johnathan, who said he was bringing a friend. And I suppose Polly will come over, invited or not," said Mandie with a sigh.
"Well, I am bone tired. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I'm going to try and get some sleep." said Celia, who bowed her head and closed her eyes.
"I couldn't sleep a wink if I tried." Said Mandie.
Mandie turned her head towards the window, and thought. Perhaps, just perhaps, she was thinking about Joe.
*Later*
'Choo! Choo!'
Celia woke up with a start.
"Wake up, Celia! We've arrived!" Said Mandie excitedly, as her blue eyes looked out the window.
Celia yawned.
"I'll be glad to get out of these stiff new traveling clothes," remarked Celia.
Mandie and Celia got off the train, and looked for someone.
"Uncle John!" Cried Mandie, as she caught sight of him.
Mandie ran to him, despite being a 'woman' now, and embraced him tightly.
"Well, how's my little blue eyes?" Asked John, his eyes twinkling.
"Just fine Uncle John! Just fine!" Said Mandie, smiling at him.
He reminded her so much of her father, with the now graying red hair, and blue eyes.
"Hello Celia, it's nice to see you again," said John, as he shook her hand.
"It's nice to see you again as well, Mr. Shaw," said Celia, smiling at the happy reunion.
"Abraham has your luggage, now let's go home!" Said John, as he led them to the carriage.
Abraham was sitting on the driver's seat.
"Hello, Abraham!" Said Mandie.
"An' 'lo to you too, missy 'manda!" Said Abraham, who grinned.
John helped Mandie and Celia into the carriage.
"Uncle John, is Joe home already?" Asked Mandie, once inside the carriage.
"Yes, he has been home for a while now. He arrived at our house this morning." Said John, who grinned knowingly.
Mandie smiled.
They soon arrived at the house, and Mandie caught her breath.
Joe was standing on the porch, grinning his boyish grin.
'Joe must have grown another foot!' thought Mandie.
Joe had grown into a man.
Mandie silently noted that he was handsome as ever, and that he was just a little tan, as if he had been doing outside work. Unlike the other city men, who had skin as light as a woman's!
*Joe POV*
*Joe caught his breath as Mandie stepped down from the carriage. Her blonde tresses were tucked into a bun, and her blue eyes were as blue as ever. Joe hoped Mandie hadn't changed too much… *
"Mandie!" Shouted Joe, as he rushed towards her.
Mandie thought for a moment. Should she wait for Joe to help her down from the wagon? No. She would just be herself, a country girl.
Mandie jumped down from the wagon, and ignored her Uncle John's chuckle.
Joe reached her, quickly kissed her on her cheek, and embraced her.
Mandie blushed furiously, knowing Celia would probably get her about this.
"Don't ever leave me for so long again, Mandie Shaw, you hear?"said Joe, who blushed as he backed away, hands on her shoulders.
"Oh, Joe," mumbled Mandie as she looked down, blushing.
Joe bent down to meet her gaze.
"Embarrassed? I've kissed you on the cheek before, Haven't I?" Asked Joe, grinning.
"Joe!" scolded Mandie, who looked up.
Joe grinned at her as he grabbed some luggage and began walking towards the house.
Mandie walked towards the house with Celia.
Joe opened the door wide.
There stood all the servants, who smiled at Mandie.
"We'se glad you'se back missy 'manda, 'dis house be real quiet wit' out you to liven things up, and sno' ball's missed you somethin' awful," said Aunt Lou, who pointed to Snowball, who was in Liza's arms.
"Snowball!" Cried Mandie as she reached for the old white cat.
Snowball purred, as Mandie cuddled him.
"Oh, it's so good to see y'all again!" Said Mandie, as she hugged all the servants.
"Now, you girlz git up to yo' rooms and fresh' up, food's just about ready," said Aunt Lou, shooing them upstairs.
Mandie giggled, and went to her room with Celia.
Mandie sighed contentedly as she sat on her bed.
"It's so good to be home!" exclaimed Mandie, taking off her hat, and peeling off her gloves.
"Joe gave you quite the welcome, didn't he?" Said Celia, as she turned to grin at her friend.
"Celia Hamilton! If I hear another word about Joe and I, I- i will keep teasing you about Robert!" Exclaimed Mandie.
"That doesn't bother me, he's my fiance!" Said Celia, grinning, yet blushing at the same time.
"Well, it bothers me," said Mandie, as she set down her hat with a huff.
"May I use the washbasin?" asked Celia meekly.
Mandie nodded.
Celia walked to the washbasin, and washed her face.
"So I suppose when you and Joe are engaged, I can talk about it?"asked Celia, preparing for an outburst.
"CELIA HAMILTON! I'm not even sure I want to be married, much less to Joe!" Exclaimed Mandie furiously, growing redder by the second.
"Your blushing face explains everything, Mandie," said Celia, as she plopped down on a chair.
"Don't worry. I felt the same way with Robert, and I just know Joe loves you. I can see it when he looks at you." Said Celia, smiling, and looking dreamy as she thought about her fiance.
"Let's unpack a dress right now, instead of waiting for Liza to unpack everything," Said Mandie abruptly, getting up from the bed and going to her trunk.
Mandie hastily pulled out a blue dress with white trimmings.
Celia sighed, and pulled out a green dress with yellow trimmings from her trunk.
They quickly dressed, and combed their hair.
Mandie sighed contentedly as she pulled out her bun, combed it, and left it loose with only a blue ribbon.
"It feels so good to not put my hair in a bun." Said Mandie, as she added finishing touches to her hair.
"Same here," said Celia, as she pushed back her auburn hair to the back with a yellow ribbon.
They exited the room and went downstairs to the parlor, where they found Joe, , , and John.
Mandie and Celia exchanged greetings with and .
"Where's Mother?" Asked Mandie, as she and Celia sat down.
"Amanda?" Asked a familiar female voice.
"Mother!" Cried Mandie, as she stood up and turned to see her mother standing there.
"Oh Amanda! I have missed you so!" Said Elizabeth, as she embraced her daughter.
"Amanda! Why isn't your hair in a bun? You are a young woman now," scolded Elizabeth softly.
"Oh Mother, I'm at home, please let me be comfortable after all those prim and uptight days at college!" Said Mandie, as she sat back down.
Elizabeth sat down next to John, and smiled at Mandie.
"When will your mother be coming, Celia?" Asked Elizabeth.
"I believe in a few days, ," said Celia.
"Well, , Uncle Ned, Morning Star, Sallie, and Dimar will arrive tomorrow." Said John.
"I can't wait to see them again!" Said Mandie, as she held and stroked the purring Snowball.
*Joe POV, again.*
The rest of the conversation became a buzzing noise to him, as he got lost in his thoughts. He knew that he loved her. He had told her so many times. He had asked her to marry him years ago. She had said maybe. He planned to talk to Mr. Shaw and Uncle Ned privately. And then if they approve, talk to Mandie. But the question that struck fear in his heart; what if she said no?
"Dinnuh be ready!" Announced Liza, as she danced into the parlor, and then back out.
Everyone stood up, and followed Liza out of the parlor, and to the dining room.
Joe got ahead of Mandie, and smiled shyly as he pulled out chairs for her and Celia.
Mandie smiled shyly and sat down.
Joe then sat down next to her, with Celia on the other side.
Liza served the plates, and then stopped with Mandie, Celia, and Joe.
"Aunt Lou dun made a choc'late cake," said Liza, with a grin as she went back to the kitchen.
"Mmm, I can't wait to eat Aunt Lou's chocolate cake," said Joe, before he shoveled a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
Mandie only nodded, as she had food in her mouth.
The adults kept to themselves, and after a uncomfortable silence, Mandie finally got to ask,
"So, What were you doing outside, that you got tan?" Asked Mandie, with a slight giggle.
"Oh, I was helping Mr. Jacob Smith with his field, and repainting his barn," said Joe, smiling bashfully as he looked at his tan, calloused hands.
"Have you visited my Father's grave?"asked Mandie quietly, glancing into Joe's eyes.
"Yes, and I've kept the flowers fresh, like I promised," said Joe, taking Mandie's hand.
Mandie smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Joe." Whispered Mandie.
They finished their dinner, and ate chocolate cake.
The adults decided to go to bed, since they were tired.
Mandie and her friends begged to stay up a little longer, which they reluctantly agreed to.
Mandie and Celia told Joe all about college, and then they realized they, too, were tired.
"Well, Goodnight Celia, Mandie," said Joe as they arrived at their rooms.
"Good night Joe," choursed Mandie and Celia, as they entered their rooms.
"What did you think of Joe?" asked Celia, grinning at Mandie, as she grabbed her nightgown.
"Oh, Celia!" said Mandie as she turned to grab her nightgown.
"Well, I noticed he was tan from working with Mr. Jacob Smith, and had calloused hands, much like a country boy. I would think you would admire that, since you say you are a country girl," said Celia, a small smile on her face.
Mandie didn't reply.
They silently put on their nightgowns, combed their hair, brushed their teeth, and got in bed.
"Well?" asked Celia, as Mandie blew out the lamp.
Mandie turned to her side.
"Maybe, Celia, Maybe not," said Mandie.
"It took you so long to answer, I would think maybe so," said Celia, dissolving into giggles.
Mandie couldn't help but giggle as well.
"Goodnight Celia, I'm sure Robert is dreaming of you," giggled Mandie.
"And Joe must be dreaming of you," giggled Celia.
Mandie only turned again, and they said no more.
Although Mandie wouldn't admit it, Celia knew Mandie liked Joe.
But Celia, although still amused by Mandie's denial, thought about Robert, and slept.2