A/N- This is a story that I had running around in my head for a while now, and I decided to let it run free and see where it wanted to go. I hope you enjoy, and please review.
1864- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-
Sarah Mackenzie stood barefoot in front of her window. She gazed out across the horizon, and watched as the moon set and the sun came up bringing her a new day. She wrapped her robe tighter around her to help keep out the cold of the morning. Today would be a new day. Every day was a new day, but this one was different. Today she was going home. She thought back to why she had come here. It had all happened four years ago when her mother had left her and her father. When her mother had left she had taken her father with her. He was still there physically, but he was not the same man. He could always be found at work, in his office, and most likely drinking wherever you found him.
Her uncle feared that she would not be well taken care of, so he offered to take her with him for a little while. Sarah had not wanted to leave her home in Richmond. She had been born, and raised in Virginia, that is all she knew, and now everything she had known was being taken away from her. She voiced her dislike of the idea, but unfortunately for her she had no say in the matter. Her father agreed and she went to live with her Uncle Matt O'Hara.
Sarah had grown to like Philadelphia. In many ways it was similar to Richmond, but on the other hand it was like being in a completely different world. She was sent to a prestigious all girls school, where she received the finest education. Her uncle was a member of high society, so she had become accustomed to accompanying him to all of the parties and dinners. Many people said that society fit her, but deep down she longed for her home, and her simple life. Oh how she longed to be able to walk along the veranda, she longed to be back at her father's large plantation, but most of all she longed for her family and friends.
Her family was a makeshift family of sorts. She had never spent much time with her biological family, so she had made one of her own. There was Martha, her nursemaid, who was like her mother. Martha was a young black women, who Sarah had loved and trusted all of her life. She had begged her father to allow Martha to accompany her to Philadelphia, but he said that a thirteen year old girl did not need a nursemaid. She remembered how she had cried herself to sleep that night, while Martha tried to soothe her. She thought back to exactly what Martha had told her.
"Now you listen here little missy. You gonna be just fine without me. You are a brave girl, and whenever you decide to come home I will be right here waiting for you."
She smiled as she heard the soft voice of the young woman.
Another voice and face began to appear in her head; it was that of Harmon Rabb Sr. She had always called him "Uncle Rabb", even though he was of no blood relation. He had come to the plantation when she was a baby. He was an expert at training horses, so her father had hired him to take care of and train their horses. He always had a kind smile on his warm face. When she was young, she and his son would each sit on one of his knees and listen to him tell stories about the "good old days". Oh how she loved being lulled by his deep voice, and getting caught up in the magic spell he would cast with his enchanting stories.
His son Harmon Rabb Jr. was like a big brother to her. He was two years older than she, but he always watched out for her. Harm was a tall, dark haired, and skinny boy. She had always thought that he was awkwardly proportioned, but she loved him still. Their favorite thing to do together when they were younger was to get up early on Sunday morning, go to the kitchen and eat some of Hannah's biscuits with jam on them. The day she left was a Sunday, and she had gone to the kitchen early that morning to eat breakfast with him, just like she always had. He came into the kitchen, saw her, turned around and left. She never understood why he left, especially without saying goodbye.
A small giggle escaped her mouth and resonated into the dark, hollow room, as she pictured the cheery round Hannah. Hannah always was trying to fatten her up; she had always said that she was to skinny. "Darlin' all you are is skin and bones, nothing but skin and bones." She could hear her mumbling about the kitchen. Hannah had to be the best cook in all of Richmond. No one could make a better peach cobbler than Hannah.
Just as quickly as her cheery mood had come it quickly left as she looked at the letter in her hand. It was from her best friend Harriet Sims. Sarahhad kept in contact with Harriet only. Harriet was a bit younger than she, but they had always gotten along. She had missed talking to her like old times, sure she had made new friends, but none were like Harriet. Harriet had always been more proper, flirtatious, and all around more girly than Sarah. She thought that maybe that is why they got along so well, because they were not exactly alike.
There was a gentle knock at her door, which caused her thoughts to stop and she turned around to see Maddie, her servant, standing in the doorway.
"Mam, I think we better get you ready. You only have a few hours before you leave."
Sarah smiled warmly. "You're right Maddie. Help me into my dress, will you?"
Maddie nodded and walked over to the dresser on the far end of the room. She picked up Sarah's corset, petticoat, and hoops. She gingerly helped Sarah into them. Once she was in those Maddie went to the armoire and pulled out a cream colored full length dress. Maddie helped Sarah slip it on over her undergarments. Now that she was dressed she went over to her dresser and sat in the chair, so that Maddie could fix her hair. Maddie slowly brushed her chestnut hair. She finished brushing it, and then began to pin it up.
"So miss Sarah I'm really going to miss having your happy face around here all the time, although, maybe we won't have as many of them young men calling as much." she smiled at Sarah in the mirror. She just laughed and rolled her eyes, and then she sobered up.
"I am going to miss you too. You know I will try to come back and visit." Maddie nodded, and put the last pin in her hair. Maddie stood there and looked at the young women whom she had watched grow up. When Sarah had come she had been small, shy, and withdrawn. Now she was outgoing, tall, and still skinny.
"I do swear every day you get prettier and prettier." Maddie was right about Sarah being pretty. A man, or any person for that matter, would have to be blind not to see her beauty. She had long chestnut hair, dark caramel eyes, red lips, and olive skin.
"I totally agree." Sarah turned and saw who had made the comment.
"Uncle Matt." she scorned as she blushed from the compliment. He smiled and walked over to her. He cupped her face, and gave her a gentle, fatherly kiss on her forehead. "Are you ready to go, sugar?" She looked at herself in the mirror and nodded. "Good, then shall we go?" he put out his arm to allow her to take hold of it, but she just stood there. She slowly walked over to Maddie and took her into a tight hug.
"I will write to you." she whispered. She pulled back and looked at Maddie as tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
"Ain't no use miss, I can't read."
She looked back at her uncle, and he smiled as if he knew what she was asking him without her asking. She looked back at Maddie "Uncle Matt will read them to you. Okay?"
Maddie stopped crying and nodded. She smiled and left the room. Sarah walked back over to her uncle and took his awaiting arm. As the began to walk out of the room she slowly turned her head and looked back at the room that had been her home for the past four years. A single tear trickled down her cheek. She didn't know if it was a tear of sadness, because she was leaving, or a tear of joy, because after four years she was finally going home.
A/N- So what do you think? I know it is kind of slow so far, but there will be romance, pain, and joy in the future chapters. Should I continue, or should I stop? Please review.
