Hello y'all! I am so sorry for the delay! I know this is short, but it's something! I am running short on time, so I can't do shoutouts. :(
Anyway, I present the chappie!
-EquestrianIntrovert?
Chapter 5
"Oh, how soft," Mandie said to herself, as she stroked a dress she had found. It was a baby blue dress, with slits at the top and bottom, that revealed golden silk, and the sleeves also had golden tips.
"Oh, Mandie! That dress is so pretty!" exclaimed Celia, as she came over to examine it.
They were at the clothing store in Franklin, and were searching for dresses, since Elizabeth had remembered.
Robert held Celia's dress, which was a golden yellow, with green sleeve tips, and a sailor collar, that was lined with green.
"That dress is pretty," Sallie agreed, as she held her dress, which was a rosy pink with white lacy sleeve tips.
"You should take it, Mandie. It brings out the color of your hair and eyes," Celia said.
Mandie hesitated for a moment.
"I'll carry it for you if that's what's stopping you," said a familiar voice, jokingly.
"Joe?" asked Mandie, as she turned to see who was speaking.
Joe was standing next to Dimar and Robert behind them, and grinning.
"Lazy! Now you'll buy it because I'll carry it," teased Joe.
Mandie frowned.
"I was going to buy the dress anyway, Joe Woodard! So there!" said Mandie, as she quickly grabbed the dress and carried it to the worker.
They bought the dresses, and then left the store.
"Oh! I thought it would quit snowing!" exclaimed Mandie, as she felt a cold snowflake on her neck.
"Quick! We should head back to the house, Mrs. Shaw, it looks like there might be a blizzard!" Joe said, looking up at the grey sky.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
"Yes, we should hurry back," agreed Dimar, also glancing upwards.
"Protect your dresses, girls!" Called , trying to hide her dress from the snow.
The carriage stood not too far, and they all walked quickly towards it.
Joe, Robert and Dimar helped the ladies in, and then got in themselves.
"Joe! Hurry up and get in!" urged, as Joe still stood outside.
"I got to take dad's horse home, so go on, I'll see you at the house!" called Joe, as he started to hurry away.
Mrs. Woodard started to protest, but then stopped.
"All right, Abraham, take us home, at a safe, but quick speed! We don't want to get caught by the blizzard!" Called Elizabeth.
"Yes'm!" replied Abraham, and then got the carriage moving.
Joe waved them off, and then hurried to where his father's horse was tied.
"C'mon, ol' girl, we gotta get going," said Joe, as he untied the mare and mounted.
They set off at a steady trot, and were about halfway there when the storm got worse, and snow started to blow around.
"C'mon, girl, we gotta get home fast!" urged Joe, as he spurred her on, and they went faster.
They soon came into sight of the house, to Joe's relief.
He got off the mare, led it into the barn, and tended to it's needs before entering the house.
Voices were heard in the parlor.
Joe took off his hat, and entered the parlor, hurrying to the fire.
"Brr! It's cold out there!" said Joe, rubbing his hands together.
Everyone else was also crowded around the fire.
"We just arrived about five minutes ago," said Mandie.
Joe nodded. Everyone was silent, except the fire, which crackled cheerily.
Mandie noticed a bulge in Joe's coat pocket. Mandie frowned in curiosity, and then decided that if it was important, Joe would tell her. Mandie's thoughts then returned to the incident that happened that morning.
"Joe, I forgot to tell you, but this morning, my father's picture in my locket was gone, and we looked everywhere, but we can't find it," Mandie said, tears lapping at her voice, and then blinking the tears away.
Joe frowned, and stared into the fire.
"Now how could it just disappear? It should be around here somewhere," Joe said, still looking into the fire.
"Like Mandie said, we looked everywhere, even on the stairs, but it seems to have vanished in thin air," said Celia, wondering why Joe wouldn't look at Mandie.
Joe reached for Mandie's hand and squeezed it.
"I'll help y'all look for it again, but I'm sure we'll all feel better after having some food," said Joe.
"Oh, Joe, your mind is always on food," said Mandie, laughing quietly.
"Joe is correct, food can always make situations better, and I believe Liza will come in a minute to tell us that dinner is on the table," said John, as he and Uncle Ned and Dr. Woodard entered the room, and sat down.
They had scarcely sat down, when Liza came dancing in the room, declaring, "Dinnuh is on da table!"
They laughed, and followed Liza into the dinning room. On the way there, they heard the bell ring.
"I'll get it Liza," said John, as Liza turned back to get the door.
Liza nodded, and hurried back to the kitchen.
The older ladies continued to the dining room, and only the young people stayed there.
"Hello, Mr. Shaw! Let us in, my Missus is freezing!" declared a familiar, joking voice.
Mandie gasped.
"Missus?!" squealed Mandie.
John, Jonathan, and a young lady came into sight.
Jonathan grinned at the sight of his old friends.
"Everyone, let me introduce my wife, Mrs. Janice Guyer!" declared Johnathan, removing the coat of a blushing, giggling lady, with black hair, tucked into a bun, dressed in a black and gold traveling dress. Janice was a little shorter than Johnathan, but also had black eyes that shone with mirth.
"Wife?! Jonathan Lindall Guyer, you didn't even invite us to your wedding!" shrieked Mandie, as they all rushed to greet them.
"What? We only invited my dad, and her family. It was more of a private thing, and I wanted to surprise you all! Or, y'all, as you say here. Say, don't trample over her!" said Johnathan, shaking everyone's hand warmly.
When everyone had finished giving shocked exclamations, Janice spoke up.
"Johnathan has talked so much about you all, I feel like I know you all already," said Janice, with an small Italian accent.
Jancie suddenly took Mandie's hand.
"You are Mandie, the mystery chaser," said Janice, with a smile.
She then shook Joe's hand.
"And you are Joe, her beau," said Jancie with an innocent smile.
Joe and Mandie blushed.
"Johnathan, what have you told her?" asked Mandie, glaring at him.
Jonathan grinned.
"Only the facts, Mandie," Jonathan replied.
Janice continued to shake everyone's hand, and know their names.
"There, now we are all introduced, will someone tell us where our room is?" asked Johnathan, picking up the luggage that was brought with them.
Liza appeared.
"This way, mistuh," called Liza, leading the way up the stairs.
Jonathan and Janice followed, leaving the young people standing there.
"I won't forgive Johnathan for not inviting us to his wedding!" said Mandie, stamping her foot.
"Now, Mandie, stop stomping, and let's get to the table, I'm starved!" Joe said, taking Mandie's hand, and leading her to the table.
They all laughed, and then followed, and ate merrily, with Johnathan and Janice soon joining them.