*** I am not sure if anyone will even like this story, but please review and tell me if I should continue and where you want this story to go, please also read my other Fic " A New Year"… thanks!*** I WILL DEVELOP THE PLOT SOON SO DO NOT SAY IT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE*** I don't own ANYTHING …don't sue.***
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**DO NOT COPY MY IDEA*** I do not own anything** ***
** I changed a whole lot of things about the story... I recommend you go back and read it over to see the changes... sorry***
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Prairie Lakes, 1893
"You miss her dreadfully, don't you? You know, I do too, she was also my best friend." Gordo said.
"Does it still show?" Lizzie asked, she closed her eyes and concentrated on the lulling, rocking motion of the porch swing. A hint of sweet warmth rode the fresh breeze toward spring. It was a perfect afternoon. Except that there would be no one to tell about it when it was over.
"It's just sometime you have a faraway expression on your face," Gordo said. "I worry that I can't make you happy"
Lizzie's eyes flew open, "Oh Gordo! Don't say that!" She studied his handsome face, and held him in her gaze. Even after all the time they had spent together over the past eight months, she felt her heart pick up speed. "I don't know what I would have done without you this winter. You cheered me up when I was sad, and made me laugh when I started crying."
"But it's not enough." Gordo said "Nothing besides Miranda's return would be enough."
Lizzie let out a quiet sigh. "Gordo you have to understand. For most of my life it had been Lizzie and Miranda, Miranda and Lizzie, the girls, the sisters, now it's just me. Alone. Elizabeth. It has such a different sound, such a different rhythm. It's as if someone had changed the tune of an old, familiar, song, and I don't know how to sing it anymore."
Gordo listened attentively and have the swing a gentle push with his toe.
"Sometimes I think of going and finding her. Telling her she had to come home. Not just for me, but for you, Mama, Papa, Matt and everyone else that misses her and loves her. Mama is so sad without Miranda. But I must remember that Miranda lives by her own rules, I can't tell her what she must or mustn't do."
They sat swinging quietly for a few moments, listening to the songs of the first birds that had returned north after the winter. Then Lizzie continued. "You know sometimes I find myself doing things just a teeny bit more the way Miranda might have. Maybe just to feel that she's still around.
Tim nodded. "Like your visits with Wind Catcher" Tom continued.
"Yes, that and other things," Lizzie replied.
"Other things." Lizzie was Tom's serious expression melting into laughter. "You mean like the time you sabotaged Larry's dinner bucket?"
Lizzie blushed furiously. "Gordo! How did you know about that one? I didn't tell a soul!" She hadn't been quite brave enough to go hunting for frozen worms, and even if she had found one, she knew she would have never been able to pick it up. Instead, Lizzie had settled for a smelly, moldy, hunk of cheese. She had slipped it into Larry's dinner bucket when she thought no one was watching.
"I know because I saw you do it," Gordo said. "You might have thought no one was looking that day at school, but you don't realize that there is one boy in that classroom who can't take his eyes off of you."
Lizzie felt her face coloring. "Oh, Gordo!"
"It was a very daring this to do, Lizzie" He chuckled.
"Why didn't you say something to be about it?" Lizzie asked him.
"Well, I thought it might have something to do with your sister," Gordo said seriously. "A time for you to be with her, even though she wasn't actually there. Does that sound strange?"
"No." Lizzie shook her head. "In fact you're quite right." Gordo understood her so well. She shifter ever so slightly closer to him. He swing moved in response.
"And that, that's perhaps Miranda's influence, also," Gordo said lightly.
"What do you mean? What's her influence?" Lizzie asked.
"Perhaps, you're a bit; well, bolder than you once were." Gordo suggested. "Remember the hay ride."
Lizzie thought her face must have been turning the color of the town's new steam-pump fire engine.
"Gordo," She said her voice a whisper of embarrassment. "After the hay ride, I waited and waited. I started to think you might never kiss me. Finally, well, finally, I…"
"Yes and I'm glad you did," Gordo said softly. "I must remember to thank Miranda, when the circus comes to town"
This time he didn't make Lizzie wait. All thought of Miranda were momentarily swept away as Gordo's lips met hers.
Lizzie watched Dr. Miller climb out of his buggy and tether his horses to a fence post in front of the Gordon's house. His face looked grim as he hurried up the walk. It could not be pleasant news. Lizzie steeled herself as she opened the door to greet him,
"Hello, Dr Miller."
"Miss Elizabeth." The doctor wasted no time getting to the point. "It Abraham Fuller, he is very sick."
Lizzie felt her chest grow tight. It was a sensation she had often had right after Miranda had left." Abe? Oh, no, Doctor. Is he-what's wrong with him?"
Dr. Miller shook his head. "He is very, very old. I could give you one fancy diagnosis or anything, but I think the truth is, that is it's his time to leave us."
Lizzie knew she shouldn't be surprised, but she felt numb at the news. She stood frozen in the doorway, her mind filled with the picture of the old man, who had recently become her friend. Then she realize with a start , that she hadn't even invited the doctor in.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Good. You must think I left my manners in the other room. Why don't you come in? I can make you a cup of fruit tea."
The doctor shook his head again. "No, I must go right back and attend to Abraham. But I have to tell you something. He had been asking for you….and your sister…."