I'm back! And it's still 2016! Thank you all for the kind reviews on the first chapter of this story, and for waiting patiently for this next part. I have done a *little* editing, so hopefully the grammar/spelling isn't too atrocious, but usually my eyes start to glaze over after about 2 ½ minutes of editing, so... yeah.
Anyway, I've been attempting to clean the story up here and there, especially the mystery aspect (*insert long, painful groan of a dying person*), but as I said before, over half of it is already written—this means that 1) you can expect *somewhat* regularish updates, and 2) you can also probably expect some issues with continuity because I might have forgotten, by the end of the story, what I wrote during the summer, or even way back during Mandie and the Forest Path. Hopefully I'm able to remember everything, though!
I've also taken a few "liberties" with the original books, just to make my stories flow together. For instance, I have NO idea whether or not, say, Celia and Jonathan have met Riley O'Neal before. I think they might all have been at Mandie's graduation, but I don't know that for sure. In my story, they haven't met. To my recollection, I don't believe Celia and Jonathan have even been to the Reservation. It's far more likely that Celia has, rather than Jonathan, at least. In this story, it's Jonathan's first visit. Any other small things you might notice and think: "that seems a bit different from the books"-it's probably only another small thing I've changed, for the sake of my story making more sense.
Also, you might notice random geography facts and/or genealogy slipped in here and there. That was purely for my own benefit. While I was writing last summer, I was very interested in the exact locations of Mandie's travels in NC, as well as the approximate timeline of her family/friends. I spent a couple of days looking at maps of Franklin/Charley Gap/the Nantahala Mountains/the Cherokee reservation in NC/surrounding areas, and even the ones that Lois added in a couple of the earlier books. I ended up drawing up my own map of the areas for a reference while I was writing, and then I started trying to figure out everybody's exact age and who-was-born-when. That actually turned out to be more difficult. Mandie's birthdate is basically the only exact one that we're given, besides a couple of birth-years for some other characters. I used whatever facts I found in the books, along with some dates from the movies, to make a basic timeline from Mandie's grandparents to her and her friends. Most of the birth-years are approximate; I did a lot of adding and subtracting from the dates/ages I knew for sure... anyway, the point of the story is that since I wasted so much effort on such random facts, and since I then had homemade maps, timelines, and family trees stuck up all around my desk, I figured I might as well include my discoveries in the story!
The reviews:
TheWint3rWolfAlchemist24: my first reviewer once again! Thank you for sticking with me!
Neon-Night-Light: that's happened to me too many times to count... and I can never remember what I said the first time! And I promise: I would never abandon you guys without at least having the courage to say something! I would just, you know, disappear for a year and then act like nothing happened and no time had passed... thank you for the kind words, as always! I'm thrilled you like it so much, and I'm glad you understand about mystery writing. It's painful. Basically, despite what I said about my first story, we all know that it's not really about the mysteries. It's about MandieXJoe ;) jk it's about the mysteries and the character development of course, but they are definitely a primary focus... anyway, thanks again! NOW UPDATE YOUR STORY.
LovetheLORD: thank you thank you thank you! That is the best compliment I could get, because that is exactly what I'm trying to achieve! I want to give Mandie fans like myself a feel for the actual books, since we all miss them so much.
Annefan (guest): thank you! I'm so glad you liked it, and I'm glad everyone seems to be okay with me cutting Carl and Carol out. I hope you like this chapter!
Guest: the fact that you are so happy to read my humble tributes to Lois Gladys Leppard's wonderful series is amazing to me—thank you! I'm so glad there are fans I can share my work with, so we can enjoy the Mandie books together! An update schedule would be very nice of me, wouldn't it? Alas, being the carefree procrastinator that I am, I'm not sure if I could force myself to commit... I will give it some thought, though! And yeah, The Thorns of Love defo needs to be updated...
Guest: thank you! I'm always worried about not presenting the characters correctly, so it's a relief to hear that I'm still doing an okay job! Your kinds words mean the world to me, and you can rest assured that there will be plenty of MandieXJoe in this story!
Jorgi188: thank you very much, and here is the next chapter for you!
"We're here!" said Mandie excitedly, as soon as the cabins of Deep Creek came into view. "Finally!" It was well after noon, and Mandie couldn't wait to be rid of the tiresome wagon. Before Uncle Ned could even think about reining the horse to a halt, Mandie had hopped out of the seat and was hurrying towards Uncle Ned's cabin on foot, Snowball on her heels.
"That's hardly the best way to treat that ankle of yours, Mandie," Joe pointed out, guiding his horse to walk alongside Mandie.
"Joe Woodard, sometimes I wonder why you didn't follow in your father's footsteps and become a doctor!" Mandie retorted.
Joe grinned in spite of himself. "We both know why, Mandie."
Mandie stopped short, glancing up at him in surprise. "What ever does that mean?"
Joe's smile widened. "Don't you remember, Mandie? I only decided to become a lawyer because I wanted to get your father's house back for you, and then you would—"
"Oh, yes, that's right," Mandie interrupted quickly, feeling her face flush. "I remember now."
"I thought you might," said Joe. He left to rejoin Jonathan, whistling. Mandie watched him go for a few moments, wondering why in the world he was in such a confounded good mood.
Movement ahead caught her eye, and she turned to see Uncle Ned's wife, Morning Star, coming out of their cabin.
"Morning Star!" Mandie cried, rushing to greet her. The old Indian squaw held out her arms to embrace her. Mandie kissed her brown, weathered cheek and flung her arms around her neck.
"It's so good to see you, Morning Star," Mandie said, leaning back to smile up at her. "I've really missed you."
Morning Star returned her smile and smoothed back Mandie's hair. She pressed a hand to her heart and gestured to the cabin. "Home," she said.
Mandie grasped her hand and nodded. "Yes, Morning Star, I've come home." It was true, she reflected, as she stepped back to let the others greet Morning Star; the home of her Cherokee kinspeople felt like her home, in many ways. Her father's land in Charley Gap would always take first place in her heart, and Uncle John's mansion in Franklin was of course her home now, but she felt a special connection with the Cherokee land. It held many pieces of her, and she would always return to it.
"Something sure smells good," Joe remarked, coming up behind her. He and Jonathan had dismounted, and Mandie turned to gesture to the barn.
"Y'all had better get the horses settled in Uncle Ned's barn before we eat," she advised.
Joe nodded and Uncle Ned replied, "Yes. Horses in barn, then we eat."
Sallie smiled at her grandmother. "Morning Star made plenty of cornbread and fried chicken, so do not be too long."
"Just try and keep me away!" Jonathan warned with a grin, as he followed Joe to the barn.
Mandie, Celia, and Sallie watched them go until Morning Star pointed to the house again. "Come," she said. "Wash. Eat."
Sallie laughed. "I do believe my grandmother is saying that we are too dirty to eat just yet."
Mandie grinned. "Morning Star's right. I'm covered in dust."
"Me too," said Celia. "I'm sure I must look a sight."
"Come," said Sallie, leading the way into the house. "Morning Star will have filled the washbowl in our room. We can freshen up before the boys come back from the barn."
They followed Sallie up the ladder into the loft, passing Snowball who was sitting obediently by the kitchen stove, waiting for Morning Star to fix him a plate of scraps.
Once upstairs, Mandie gratefully took the clean cloth Sallie handed her and splashed water on her dusty face. She quickly cleaned herself off and repaired her hair, pinning the re-coiled braid firmly back in place. Though she knew it must irritate her Grandmother Taft to no end, Mandie preferred keeping her hairstyles simple, especially when she left school. She found that they were much sturdier that way, rather than fixing them in the elaborate styles she had seen other girls using. Sometimes she envied Sallie's long, black, ever-present braid, but she knew that neither her grandmother nor her mother would allow her to continue keeping her hair in a braid. She barely knew how she had gotten away with it during the past week, although she supposed they only minded when she was out among society.
"I'm ready," Celia announced, after Sallie helped her tuck a final pin in her auburn curls.
"I am too," Mandie said, heading for the ladder. "Let's go back down. I can hear Joe and Jonathan, so they must be finished."
They rejoined the others, and Mandie took a seat at the table, between Joe and Sallie. Morning Star smiled at them and began passing around the food.
"Everything smells wonderful, Morning Star," Mandie told her, patting her hand as she passed.
"Sure does," Joe said, taking a big piece of cornbread before passing the platter to Mandie.
Morning Star smiled her thanks and set about preparing Snowball's scraps. Once she was seated, Uncle Ned gave thanks, and Mandie and her friends settled into easy conversation as they ate.
"So what do you think of everything so far, Jonathan?" Mandie asked, leaning forward to look down the table at Jonathan.
"I love it!" said Jonathan. "I'm really looking forward to meeting the rest of your kinsfolk. This is all so exciting compared to living in a city like New York. I don't care if I never see another train or automobile in my life! What did you say those two rivers we crossed were called?"
Mandie smiled at his excitement and accepted the coffee Sallie was handing her. "We crossed the Tuckasegee River and the Little Tennessee River," she answered him. "We travel mostly along Tomahawk Trail through the Nantahala Mountains. The Nantahala River runs west of the Little Tennessee River and Charley Gap."
Jonathan frowned. "I was hoping we would stop in Charley Gap so I could see where you and Joe grew up."
"We will on the way back to Franklin," Mandie promised him. "I think we all wanted to get here as quickly as possible, seeing the trouble that's being stirred up."
"Well, I sure would prefer living in mountains like this than the bustle and smoke of New York," Jonathan said reflectively. "You are all lucky to have grown up in the country."
Mandie exchanged a smile with Joe. "I think so, too," she said. "I like New York, and all the other cities I've visited, but I prefer good old Charley Gap."
"I don't know which I prefer," said Celia. "I love living in North Carolina, but all the places we've seen—like St. Augustine, Mandie. Don't you think that old city is beautiful? I love all the history it has."
"You girls still need to come visit me at college in New Orleans," Joe put in. "It has plenty of history, and it's an amazing city."
"Maybe we could come visit you next school year on break," Mandie suggested. She looked across the table at Uncle Ned. "And I'm sure Uncle Ned would show up at some point, too!"
Uncle Ned nodded seriously. "I make promise. Watch over Jim Shaw papoose. I go to New Orleans."
Mandie pushed away her empty plate and looked expectantly at Uncle Ned. "What are we going to do about those men, Uncle Ned?" she asked. "Do you plan to go to Bird-town? Will there be a council meeting?"
"Will travel to Bird-town tonight," Uncle Ned replied. "Papoose and friends rest, come to Bird-town tomorrow. Find Dimar, look for Tsa'ni."
"Does Dimar live in Bird-town?" Jonathan asked.
Mandie shook her head. "No, Dimar and his mother Jerusha live in a little cabin in the mountains. It is not too far from Bird-town."
Morning Star looked at Uncle Ned, her face grim, and spoke to him in Cherokee.
Sallie frowned and turned to Mandie. "Morning Star says that Tsa'ni has been missing nearly three days now, and she has not seen Dimar since two days ago."
"Oh, shucks!" said Mandie, blowing out her breath. "I was counting on having Dimar help us look, but now it appears he is missing as well!"
"He might just not have been to Deep Creek the past two days," Joe reminded her. "Someone in Bird-town might have seen him. I'm sure his mother knows where he is."
"Joe is right," Sallie agreed. "I am sure we will find him when we go to Bird-town. And we can also visit Mr. O'Neal and ask if he has seen them."
"Who's this Mr. O'Neal?" Jonathan asked.
"Riley O'Neal is a missionary," Mandie explained. "He runs the Cherokee schoolhouse. We can stop and see him on our way to Bird-town."
She finished the rest of her coffee and then hopped up to help Morning Star clear the table. Morning Star squinted at her and made a shooing gesture with her hands. "Out," she said firmly. "No help."
Mandie grinned and held up her hands in surrender. "One of these days I am going make you let me help clean up, Morning Star," she said.
Uncle Ned stood suddenly and spoke to Morning Star in Cherokee. She nodded, and he said, "I go now to Bird-town. Ride horse, leave wagon for Papoose."
"Thank you, Uncle Ned," Mandie said. "I guess we'll see you tomorrow. We'll get up real early and be on our way."
He nodded. "Braves say men still near northwest border. Message from Dimar also say."
Her friends all agreed, and after Uncle Ned left, they used whatever daylight they had left to show Jonathan around the Deep Creek settlement. Mandie spoke to several of the Indians about Tsa'ni, but it appeared that no one could remember seeing him for at least three days.
After night had fallen, they all returned the cabin to get some sleep, with plans to get up at dawn the next morning. Mandie was anxious to be on their way to Bird-town in the morning, and to look for Dimar. She still felt that Tsa'ni was in trouble. She could only hope that they wouldn't be too late in finding him.
Mandie woke up the following morning long before the others. She dressed quietly, not wanting to wake Celia and Sallie after their long day yesterday, and then went downstairs, taking Snowball with her. It was still dark out, telling her dawn was perhaps an hour or so away, but Morning Star was awake. She smiled when she saw Mandie and patted the table, before turning to prepare coffee. Mandie set Snowball down by the fireplace and sat down at the table. She pulled her shawl tighter around her and stood back up, walking around to join Morning Star.
"Can I help you with breakfast?" Mandie asked, making sure to keep her voice low. She wasn't sure when the others would wake up, and she didn't want to just sit at the table for an hour.
Morning Star frowned at her, and Mandie pointed to the huge fireplace Morning Star used for cooking. "Help," Mandie said, trying to remember the Cherokee word for "cook." She resolved to work harder with Sallie to learn more of the language. Morning Star seemed to understand, however, because she pursed her lips for a moment, and then smiled.
"Help," she agreed, and set her to work making biscuits. They worked silently together in the quiet room, Morning Star instructing her in the measuring of ingredients and showing her how to pat the dough out into circles. Mandie wasn't sure of the last time she had done any real cooking—probably not since she lived with her stepmother, back in Charley Gap. Mandie loved Aunt Lou and Jenny and the rest of Uncle John's servants, but she decided that if she ever lived on her own, she would do her own cooking, like Morning Star.
After they finished preparing the meal and cleaning up after themselves, Morning Star ushered Mandie back to the table and they sat together in silence, drinking coffee. Mandie couldn't remember when she'd had a more peaceful morning.
The sun was rising now, as breakfast cooked, and Mandie could hear her friends waking up and moving around. She turned when Sallie and Celia came down the ladder.
"Good morning," Mandie greeted them, pouring cups of coffee.
"How long have you been up, Mandie?" Celia asked in amazement, taking the cup Mandie handed her with her good arm and sitting beside her.
Mandie shrugged. "Oh, a little over an hour, maybe. I just couldn't sleep any longer. Morning Star and I kept each other company, right? She even let me help her make breakfast!"
Morning Star smiled and patted Mandie's shoulder.
"I do not understand how you were not more tired after these past few days," Sallie remarked.
"Too wrapped up in all this mystery, I guess," Mandie replied, grinning. "You know I can't rest when something needs to be solved!"
"They beat us again!" Jonathan said in disbelief, as he and Joe entered. "I don't believe it."
Mandie laughed. "Don't you prefer when breakfast is all ready by the time you wake up?"
"She's got a point," Jonathan said, elbowing Joe. "There's nothing like getting up at the crack of dawn and coming down to a hot meal."
"'Crack of dawn,'" Sallie repeated, smiling. "Mandie's been up for an hour!"
"And she helped cook breakfast," Celia added.
"Well, I'm feeling very lazy," Jonathan joked. "I guess Joe and I will have to get up even earlier tomorrow and beat you to making breakfast!"
"Morning Star will never let you within an inch of her fireplace," Mandie replied, laughing again. "Now come on, we need to hurry up and eat! I'm aching to be on our way to Bird-town."
"Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't just go without us," Jonathan teased.
Mandie took the plate of biscuits that Morning Star passed her. "Believe me, I thought about it once or twice," she assured him.
Joe was seated across from Mandie this morning, and she realized that he had remained silent during her and Jonathan's exchange. She looked over at him, and he turned and smiled at her. She suddenly wondered if Joe would prefer having a cook, like Mrs. Miller, or having his wife cook, and then blushed at the thought. Of course, she knew that Joe, like her, thought of marriage as an equal partnership, so maybe she would make him cook.
"What are you smiling about, Mandie?" Celia questioned her, bringing Mandie quickly back to reality.
Mandie colored again and took a hasty gulp of coffee. "Oh, nothing," she answered, and then turned to Sallie to change the subject. "Sallie, would you please ask Morning Star if it's alright to leave Snowball here? I've had far too many unpleasant experiences dragging him around the mountains with me to want to do it again."
"Good thinking," Joe agreed with a grin.
Sallie spoke quickly with Morning Star and then said to Mandie, "Morning Star says that is fine. She says she will take care of the white cat."
Mandie smiled her thanks at Morning Star. "Thank you, Morning Star," she said. "I sure appreciate it."
Morning Star spoke to Sallie again and stood to clear the dishes.
"She says that we should go now, so we can get to Bird-town early," Sallie translated. "She will give us some food to take with us."
"I'm finished," said Joe, getting to his feet. "I can go get the wagon ready. Coming, Jonathan?"
Jonathan nodded and shoved down the rest of his breakfast, before heading outside with Joe.
Morning Star allowed Mandie and Celia to stack the dishes up for her, but then she pressed a basket in Sallie's hand and shooed them out the door.
"I guess she's telling us it's time to go," Mandie surmised with a grin.
"Look, the boys have the wagon all ready," Celia said.
"How is your wrist, Celia?" Mandie asked her, as they headed for the wagon.
"It feels fine," Celia assured her. "Dr. Woodard told me to keep it as still as possible, so the wagon ride jolted it a little bit, but Sallie re-wrapped it this morning and fixed my sling. What about your ankle?"
"I barely even notice it," Mandie said. "The swelling's gone, and I'm keeping it wrapped up."
"You girls ready?" Joe called to them, standing by the uncovered wagon.
"We're ready," Mandie answered. She, Celia, and Sallie climbed into the wagon-bed and Jonathan sat in the front with Joe, who was driving. Sallie directed Joe to several short-cuts through the woods, and it was still early in the morning by the time they neared Riley O'Neal's schoolhouse.
"He lives just through those trees," Mandie said. "Joe, let's leave the cart here and walk over, instead of driving it off the trail."
"Good idea," Joe agreed, halting the horses and jumping down to tie them to a tree.
Mandie and Sallie helped Celia out of the wagon and then hurried to join the boys, who were already heading for the schoolhouse.
"I sure hope he knows something about Tsa'ni or Dimar," Mandie said.
"If he is even home," Sallie put in.
"Yes, sometimes he's—oh, there he is! Look, he's out drying clothes on a line," Mandie said, pointing ahead as Riley O'Neal's house came into view. The red-haired missionary looked up at their approach and returned Mandie's wave.
"Hello, Sallie," he said pleasantly when they neared him. He set down his basket of linens and crossed over to them, his gaze settling on Mandie.
"Well, now, Miss Amanda," he said, reaching out to grasp her hand in an overly-friendly way. Mandie fidgeted, uncomfortable as always with his attention. She could feel Joe stiffening up beside her, and extracted her hand from Mr. O'Neal's grip.
"How are you, Mr. O'Neal?" she asked, returning his smile.
His smile widened. "A thousand times better now that you are here for a visit—you and your friends, of course."
Jonathan snorted behind her, and Mandie could feel her neck heating up.
She cleared her throat pointedly and said, "Allow me to introduce some friends of mine, Mr. O'Neal. I don't think you've met Celia Hamilton or Jonathan Guyer." She stepped aside as Jonathan and Riley shook hands.
"The Third," Jonathan added importantly.
"Beg pardon?" said Riley.
"Jonathan Guyer the Third," Jonathan informed him.
"Ah, I see," was the missionary's bewildered reply. Joe rolled his eyes and Mandie wasn't sure if she should elbow him or Jonathan.
"And this is Celia," Mandie prompted, pushing her hesitant friend forward when Mr. O'Neal's eyes strayed back to Mandie. "Celia was at my graduation party, but I don't remember y'all being introduced."
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. O'Neal," said Celia.
"Enchanted," he replied, shaking her hand as well. "Now, what can I do for you folks today?"
"We're looking for my cousin, Tsa'ni," Mandie told him. "We were wondering if you might have seen him?"
Riley frowned, and rubbed his chin with his hand. "No, can't say that I have," he said finally, placing his hands on his hips. "Not for a few days, at least. I can't pretend that your cousin stops by all that much, but I do see him from time to time. But like I said, not for these four or five days together."
Mandie exhaled loudly. "Shucks," she said, and turned to her friends. "It looks like not a single soul has seen Tsa'ni for the past few days. I don't even know where to start looking for him."
"What about Dimar, Mr. O'Neal?" Sallie asked. "We thought he would be here when we arrived, but Morning Star said she hasn't seen him since two days ago."
Riley hooked his thumbs in his suspenders. "I saw Dimar maybe three days ago, but not since. Why? Is something going on that I should be aware of?"
"Dimar sent Uncle Ned a message three days ago," Mandie explained, "About those men at the north western border of the reservation. He was supposed to fill us in on what's been happening after we arrived, but unfortunately, neither he nor Tsa'ni have shown up."
"Yes, it's strange, isn't it," Riley said slowly. "Those men and all… but like I said, neither of the boys have been around here, not that I've seen anyway. I'm sorry I can't be of much help."
"That's alright," Mandie assured him. "Thanks anyway, Mr. O'Neal."
"Please, Miss Amanda, call me Riley," he invited, giving her another charming smile.
She coughed and did her best to ignore Jonathan's grin and Joe's glower, sure her face must be bright red by now. "We should be getting on our way to Bird-town," she stammered. "Maybe someone there has seen Tsa'ni or Dimar."
"Come back and see me before your visit's over," Riley said. "I'd like to catch up with you all."
"We'll try," Mandie promised, before turning away and heading back to where they left the wagon on the road. She was sure Mr. O'Neal was watching them leave, so she didn't say anything until they were well out of sight.
"Well, what did you think of Mr. O'Neal?" she asked Celia and Jonathan.
Celia grinned slyly at her. "I think the better question is: what did he think of you?"
"Celia Hamilton!" Mandie admonished, over Jonathan's laughter.
"'A thousand times better now that you're here'," Jonathan repeated. "What a line! He sure is enamored with you, Mandie."
"It's not funny," Mandie said heatedly. "And I don't care to discuss it any longer."
"How much longer is it to Bird-town?" Celia asked, wisely changing the subject, as they all piled back into the wagon and continued down the road.
"Perhaps another hour," Sallie replied. "We are making good time, though."
"We should be there around nine," Mandie added. "I just hope Dimar is there—or someone knows where he is, at least. Uncle Ned is probably staying with my Uncle Wirt Pindar. We'll go there first."
"This sure is beautiful country," Jonathan said, looking around as they drove along.
"It is," Mandie agreed. "You should see some of the places we've been to in these mountains! Tsa'ni knows them like the back of his hand. He's the one that took us to the secret cave behind a waterfall, where we found the gold to build the Cherokee Hospital."
"Only after he caused plenty of trouble," Joe reminded her.
"But it all turned out alright in the end, didn't it?" Mandie persisted.
Joe shrugged, keeping his attention on the road.
"I sure hope gold isn't what those men are after on the border," Mandie said after a moment.
Sallie nodded. "I hope so too. Gold has caused far too much trouble for our people already."
"Besides, if they are after gold, they've got no right to anything on the reservation," Mandie pointed out. "They sure are being smart by sticking to the border. I guess they're making certain we can't accuse them of trespassing."
"Whatever they're doing, that Indian back in Franklin sure didn't want us to come," said Joe. "I hope we find Dimar too, since he seems to know more about it than anyone. I wonder if he's been watching them. That would explain why no one's seen him."
"That could be," Mandie agreed.
"Then perhaps Tsa'ni is there as well," Sallie suggested hopefully.
"Isn't that what happened when those men were digging all over the place?" Joe asked. "We couldn't find Tsa'ni then either, and it turned out he had been hiding out to watch the men."
Mandie was silent. It was true that Tsa'ni had turned out to be alright then, but she once again pictured the Indian with Tsa'ni's jacket. Somehow, she didn't believe that Tsa'ni was going to turn up this time.