Happy belated Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year, everybody! I can't believe I haven't updated since SEPTEMBER! … actually, yes, I can. Haha. It's been a crazy fourish months since I left you all hanging at the end of chapter five, with plenty of highs and lows happening. The high being that I'm leaving to go on a cruise on Thursday (!) and the low probably being that day in October that I accidentally dumped a glass of water on my laptop and killed it so I had to take it in to get everything off of my hard drive or I would have lost all of my projects forever. Yeah. That was a fun couple of weeks. But all's well that ends well. I've made friends with my new laptop and we get along pretty well most days (except for that time when I was all set to watch some old musicals and it decided that it was exactly the right time to start running some updates that were "very important", "highly recommended" and "should be done right away"). So yeah. Life is pretty much the same for me in 2017, with, of course, the added thrill of cruising. Here's to hoping that there's a Jonathan Guyerish stowaway on my ship as well!
Reviews:
Mandiefan:I love writing/reading/allthings Mandie too much to quit any time soon! And like I said, I have several story ideas mapped out, as well as some key and/or completely random scenes already written (lots of MandieXJoe because I just can't help myself). Is 'Mandie and the Secret Lover' the fanfic you and your friend have been working on? If it is, good job! I've been enjoying it! Hmm so you like Mr. Guyer better, but suspect that Mrs. Taft would go for the Senator... I love Senator Morten regardless, but you're right, he can be a bit serious sometimes! I like to think though that he is a secret admirer of Mandie and her friends' shenanigans ;) Haha so yeah not too much going for my updating habits, but as always, I will never abandon my story, not matter how long the updates take!
Neon-Night-Light: I see that you've been doing a bit of mending between Mandie and Polly in your fanfic, which I totally love. I mean, I guess there's a bit too much water under the bridge for them to be besties, but still... it was weird how fast their relationship deteriorated, and I'm so glad you're giving it attention! And yeah it was completely Joe's fault, haha. 'Tiptoeing the line of creepiness' OMG that is the most perfect description of Riley EVER. That was amazing. I hope you enjoy this chapter because yeah, Joe's getting her out of trouble again!
MandieFan: Wait a minute – the 'Secret Lover' fanfic must be yours! Right? I think so, because the author uses 'MandieFan' the same way... I'M SO CONFUSED. If it's yours, then I'll say again, great job! I love it! If it's not, then just disregard that... Another vote for Senator Morten! Woot! He's amazing. Thank you for your kind words! They mean so much to me. I hope you enjoy all the MandieXJoe in this chapter!
Guest: yes! you guys, we should obviously start a Senator Morten fanclub! You're right, Grandmother Taft is veeeerry opionionated, and I think the Senator does a good job balancing her out.
Mk4life: */initiates Senator Morten fanclub because he is clearly the best and most beloved character*/ glad you like the story! I hope you enjoy the new chapter!
My apologies, you guys, but as always, my editing attention-span is like -12. I'm sure there are plenty of errors to keep you entertained.
Mandie hurried through the trees, trying to remember any particulars about this section of the mountains. If she could determine where the wagon was heading, she might be able to get ahead of it and cut it off. She knew that whoever it was couldn't go too much farther by wagon – the trees grew too thick and the ground was too rocky and steep. She also remembered a sudden overhang with a long drop that Dimar had once shown her. If they weren't careful – or weren't aware of it – anyone fool enough to take a wagon up here could roll right off the edge. She was almost certain now that she wasn't chasing Tsa'ni. He would be the last person to go clattering around like this. But this is a pretty quiet part of the reservation, Mandie reminded herself. No one would be around to hear him anyway.
She cut between the trees and scrambled over rocks, ignoring the branches that whipped by her face and snagged her hair and the dirt smudging her hands and clothes. So what if it isn't Tsa'ni, but one of those men? Or maybe even that Indian from Franklin? How am I supposed to confront him? Mandie slowed for a second, realizing that Riley might have been right to caution her. What was she going to do when she caught up with the wagon? She wasn't exactly intimidating, and who knew what the strangers were capable of? She pushed the nagging fear away and quickened her pace again. She would think of something – the important thing now was to make sure they didn't get away. She jumped over a fallen log, wincing a little at the familiar twinge in her bad ankle. She would have to be careful not to hurt it or again, or she'd be spending the next few days locked in the cabin, under the overly watchful eyes of her mother and Morning Star.
The groan of wagon wheels and a flash of movement captured her attention—there! Mandie could see it now, a little ways ahead. She strained her eyes – it looked like he was hauling something in the wagon bed. I have to get that wagon! She knew there was no chance she could overpower the man all by herself, but if she could figure out what he was hauling, they just might have their answer to the men's mysterious activities. She started running again, scrambling to come up with a plan. Think fast, Mandie! Her mind raced furiously. Maybe if she could distract them, or startle them, she would have the upper hand. They might even abandon the wagon, since it would be quicker now to continue on foot. Her heartbeat quickened with excitement. She felt sure the wagon would have some evidence of whatever those men were up to. She bit her lip, knowing that Joe would think it was a completely ridiculous and foolhardy plan... but weren't most of her plans like that? Besides, Joe wasn't around to disapprove. She shook off her uncertainty and swerved to the left, where the trees were cleared enough for a wagon to come through. It was still farther ahead of her, but she could see clearly enough now to tell that it certainly wasn't Tsa'ni, or the Indian from Franklin. It must be one of the men from the border. She hesitated barely a moment and then yelled, before she could change her mind, "Hey, you—stop!"
The man driving jerked his head around and saw her. He snapped the reins at the horse pulling the wagon and they lurched forward at a faster pace.
Mandie waved her arms and kept running towards him. "Stop right there, Mister!" So much for him abandoning the wagon, Mandie thought wryly. She ducked into the cover of the woods, dodging limbs and weaving in and out between boulders and trees. She pumped her legs faster, gritting her teeth against the discomfort in her ankle. She should have waited until she was closer to surprise him – but there was still a chance that he would leave the wagon to get away on foot. She brushed flyaway hairs out of her eyes and then gasped when her foot slipped on a patch of loose soil and leaves. She slid to a halt and landed awkwardly on her side.
Mandie laid there for a moment to catch her breath and then groaned and rolled over, pushing herself up and standing on shaky legs. Thankfully, it was her good foot that had taken the slide, and her hip and elbow that had taken the brunt of the fall. She pressed a finger to her hip and winced. "That will be a nice black-and-blue by tomorrow morning," Mandie muttered. She shook her head and sighed, noting the distance between her and the wagon.
"Shucks!" Mandie proclaimed, kicking at loose pebbles in her frustration. "I'll never catch up to him on this confounded ankle!"
"Mandie!"
She spun around. Joe was riding towards her, astride one of Uncle Ned's horses.
"Joe!" she called, laughing and waving at him. "Just in time!"
He held out his arm as he neared her, and she grabbed hold of his hand, letting him pull her up behind him.
"We can cut him off if we go left through the woods," Mandie instructed, grasping Joe's shoulders. "We'll have to hurry, though. And try to keep out of sight. I don't think he's seen you, so we might be able to catch up and take him by surprise."
"Fine," said Joe, glancing at her over his shoulder. "But it will never do with you gingerly holding my shoulders." He reached up and pulled her hands down firmly around his waist. Mandie's heartbeat quickened and she blushed furiously, glad that Joe could not see her expression. Joe gathered the reins back up in his hands, but he didn't spur the horse to a start. A silent few moments passed, until Mandie, growing more uncomfortable with their nearness by the second, said tensely to Joe's back,
"Well? We won't catch anybody at this rate."
Joe turned slightly in the saddle and said, "I was just taking a moment to enjoy this."
"Joe Woodard!" Mandie exclaimed, her blush deepening. She wished she were a thousand miles away instead of being pressed up against Joe, her arms wrapped around his waist.
Joe looked at her over his shoulder again. "You're blushing!" he said, a broad grin on his face. "Why, Mandie!"
"Oh!" Mandie said furiously. "Would you kindly get on with it?"
Joe chuckled and lightly kicked the horse's flank, urging him to a fast start. It was so sudden that Mandie had to lean forward and clutch Joe's waist more tightly. She seethed, knowing he had done it on purpose. Of all the times to joke around! He was acting more like Jonathan than himself.
She maintained a stony silence for a few minutes, as Joe navigated their way through the forest, and tried to force her fluttering stomach to settle down. However many times she tried to reason with herself, however, her stomach seemed to have a mind of its own when it came to her nearness to Joe. He seemed perfectly at ease, much like he had when he'd carried her down the mountain, and she hated him for it.
The silence only seemed to be making things worse, though, so she finally broke it, asking a question she'd been pondering: "How did you know to come look for me, anyhow, Joe? Did you catch up with Mr. O'Neal?"
"Oh, you're talking to me again, are you?" Joe asked.
"Stop being smart and answer the question," Mandie snapped.
He snorted, urging the horse to a faster trot. "Yes, I found Riley back there where you left him. Some companion he turned out to be. What was he thinking, let you tear off on your own? Not that he would be much of help anyway."
Mandie felt a rise of elation—he was worried about her and Mr. O'Neal! She kept it from her voice, though, and said, "Really, Joe. Mr. O'Neal is a missionary, a good friend, and a kind man. There's no reason for you to dislike him."
"Maybe so," said Joe flatly, "But that man has been obviously smitten with you ever since he first met you—when you were thirteen. It may not bother you, but it sure bothers me."
"Honestly, Joe!" Mandie reprimanded him. "It's my concern, not yours. If I'm not bothered by Mr. O'Neal, then you shouldn't be. I wish you would be friends with him."
"Fine," said Joe shortly. "I won't concern myself with it anymore."
"Good," said Mandie, ignoring the jab his words caused, and immediately wishing she hadn't brought the subject up. "Besides, the first time he met me was when I practically fell right in front of his wagon. It was a first impression well-worth remembering."
"I thought we weren't talking about it anymore," Joe said tersely.
Mandie glared at the back of his head. "You are making me so mad, Joe Woodard!" she said. "What's gotten in to you?"
"Nothing's gotten in to me," said Joe. "All I want to know is why you're so fired up about me getting along with O'Neal."
Mandie ducked as they went under a branch. "I'm not fired up about anything. I just like all of my friends to be friends with each other, that's all."
"I don't think friendship is what Riley O'Neal has in mind," Joe muttered.
Mandie's face flamed. "Well, that's just none of your business," she retorted.
"Is that right?" demanded Joe.
"That's right," Mandie said angrily, and they lapsed back into silence. Her insides were churning so much that she was afraid she might be sick. She and Joe rarely fought like this, and whenever they did, it cut her to the core. They were best friends; they weren't supposed to hurt each other like this.
She was as angry at herself as she was at Joe. It was her own fault for starting the conversation, anyway. And it was much too hard to sort her thoughts out clearly when she was so close to Joe. She was tempted to put her hands back on his shoulders, but then he would know how affected she was, and that was certainly the last impression she wanted to give. She chewed on her lip, wishing she hadn't pushed him in the first place. She should be grateful that he showed up when he did instead of being flippant just because he was a little over protective. Why do things have to be so much more difficult between us now that we're older? Or maybe it's just me that can't grow up. Maybe I'm the problem, not Joe. Mandie sighed and tightened her arms around Joe's waist.
"Sorry, Joe," she said quietly.
He pressed his hand on top of hers. "Me too."
Mandie smiled and leaned forward. "I didn't mean to – look, Joe! The wagon!"
"I see it," Joe said. "I wonder what they're doing up here, anyway. We must be a good four miles or so from their camp. Where's he heading?" He turned his head a little to glance over his shoulder at Mandie. "Didn't you and Dimar say once that there was a steep drop-off on this path?"
"Yes, I was thinking about that too," said Mandie. "It could be dangerous if you don't know it's coming."
"Wait a minute," Joe said, lowering his voice and slowing the horse. "Look, they're slowing down."
Mandie sat up straighter to look over his shoulder. He was right, the wagon had slowed to a stop. They watched as the man jumped down from the seat to tie the horse off and then walked around to the back.
"Now's our chance," Mandie whispered. "He won't have time to take the wagon."
Joe nodded and spurred the horse on to a gallop. "Hey!" he called. "You're trespassing on Cherokee land!" They weren't close enough yet to make out the man's face, but they could see him leap back, startled, before turning and running away through the woods.
"We did it!" Mandie exclaimed, laughing. They neared the abandoned wagon and Joe reined in the horse to a walk. She unhooked her arms from Joe's waist. "Come on, let's see what he left."
"Should we try and catch him?" Joe asked, looking in the direction the man had fled.
"First let's investigate the wagon," Mandie decided. "It might tell us something."
"If you say so," said Joe, swinging his leg around to dismount before helping Mandie down, his hands settling on her waist for a brief moment.
Mandie's breath hitched, and she quickly pulled away. "Come on!" she urged him, racing over to the wagon. She skidded to a halt and climbed into the back of it. The horse attached to it paid her no mind as it started to graze.
"Be careful, Mandie," Joe warned her, coming over to the side.
"It's just a pile of old burlap sacks," she said, disappointed. "Maybe there's…" she shifted some of the sacks aside, and then reeled back in horror when her hand brushed against human hair.
"What's wrong?" Joe demanded, flinging the backboard open.
Mandie snatched away more of the bags with a sickening feeling in her stomach, and revealed the bruised face of her cousin. "Oh, Joe, it's Tsa'ni!" she gasped, her voice catching. "Quick, help me uncover him!"
"Tsa'ni?" repeated Joe, shocked. He jumped up beside her and pushed away the burlap until Tsa'ni's full form came into view, bound and gagged.
Mandie brushed his black hair away from his still face. "Is he… is he dead, Joe?" she asked, fearful of checking herself. She couldn't even tell if his chest was rising and falling—if it was, it was barely noticeable.
Joe frowned. "I don't think so," he answered, reaching to feel Tsa'ni's wrist for a pulse. "No, he's just unconscious."
Mandie felt tears of relief sting her eyes. "Oh, thank you, God!" she exclaimed. "But look at him, Joe! He's hurt—hurt badly."
Joe worked at untying the Cherokee boy's wrists and ankles. "It looks like he was beaten by someone," Joe said quietly.
Mandie swallowed hard. "Are you sure?" she asked.
Joe nodded. "I'm afraid so. Look, his ribs are black and blue and his face is swollen pretty badly. I guess someone wanted him quiet."
Anger filled Mandie as she gently removed her cousin's gag. "And that man is long gone by now," she said bitterly. "I sure would like to catch him and make him answer for this!"
"We will eventually. But for now, we need to get Tsa'ni to someone who can help," Joe reminded her grimly. "I don't think his ribs are broken, but he's going to be in a lot of pain when he wakes up."
Mandie's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Joe, I just knew he was in trouble! Poor Tsa'ni, I can't imagine what he went through."
"Yes, I guess you were right about him," said Joe, smiling at her. "Come on—pile these sacks up behind his head and check for more serious injuries. I'll get the water skins from the horse. I don't think we should move him before we're sure he's okay."
Mandie did as instructed, careful not to put too much pressure on Tsa'ni's bruised body. She took the water Joe handed to her and wet the edge of her dress, cleaning off the dirt and dried blood that encrusted Tsa'ni's face and wrists. Joe watched without a comment.
"They must have tied his wrists awfully tight," Mandie said, showing Joe the bruises and raw skin that matched the rope indentations on Tsa'ni's wrists.
"Maybe we should wrap them up in something to keep them clean," Joe suggested, searching through the pile of sacks for something to use.
"I'll do it," said Mandie, and reached down to rip to strips off of the bottom of her petticoat. "Just don't tell Mother."
Joe chuckled. "This is getting to be a habit," he joked.
Mandie shrugged and returned his grin. "I never thought a petticoat could be so useful." She finished cleaning away the blood, and quickly, but gently, wrapped Tsa'ni's wrists in the strips. She used the remaining water in the skin to wet his forehead, dabbing at it with her dress.
Tsa'ni stirred suddenly, and groaned.
"He's waking up!" Mandie said excitedly. Joe climbed back into the wagon and crouched beside them.
Mandie waited anxiously, until Tsa'ni's eyes finally fluttered open.
"Tsa'ni?" said Mandie, brushing his hair away from his forehead with her fingers. Her cousin groaned again, wincing in pain. "Tsa'ni, it's alright," Mandie assured him. "You're safe. It's me, Mandie. Joe and I found you."
Tsa'ni turned his head stiffly and looked up at her through swollen eyes.
"Mandie?" he mumbled, his lips puffy and sore.
"Yes, it's me. You're okay. Would you like some water?"
He nodded, with obvious difficulty, and Joe handed her the second skin. She lifted Tsa'ni's head carefully and held the water to his lips, making sure he drank it slowly.
"I thank you," Tsa'ni said, when he had finished. "How—how did you come to find me?"
"We didn't know you were in this wagon," Mandie said. "Joe and I were chasing the man who was driving it, and when we cut him off, he ran off and left the wagon behind. We found you tied up under all these sacks."
Tsa'ni grimaced and tried to sit up, but Mandie gently held him down. "You should not try to move, Tsa'ni," she instructed him. "Joe says your ribs are very badly bruised. You must be in a lot of pain."
"I am alright," Tsa'ni insisted. "The bruises are old—maybe three days, four. I do not know how long exactly. I do not remember when I was caught."
Mandie exchanged a glance with Joe. "You've been missing nearly a week, Tsa'ni," Mandie informed him.
Her cousin frowned, and then winced at the pain it caused. "Yes, that sounds right," he said slowly. He moved to sit up again, and Joe held a hand up before Mandie could protest. She watched as Joe carefully helped Tsa'ni into a sitting position.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Joe spoke up. "Do you remember?"
Tsa'ni's eyes narrowed with anger. "Yes, I remember," he said. "I was watching those men. Dimar helped too, sometimes. But he went back, saying he must get word to Sallie's grandfather. We knew they were up to no good."
"Dimar said you had been keeping an eye on them," Mandie said. "But he said you planned to return to Bird-town, and update Uncle Wirt and the others on what was happening."
"I was captured before I could," Tsa'ni ground out. "I sneaked into their camp to search through their papers they are always working on, and one of them came up behind me and struck me with a shovel. When I woke up, I was in someplace dark. I do not know where. But some of the men visited, and they warned me to keep my mouth shut." He scoffed, his arms crossed over his bruised ribs. "As if I would listen to what a white man told me! When I refused, they beat me, I guess to teach me a lesson." His black eyes glittered. "I think that they did not realize it would have the opposite effect!"
"Oh, how awful," said Mandie. "But where was that man bringing you?"
Tsa'ni shrugged one shoulder. "I overheard them talking last night. From what you say, I suppose I had been there for four or five days. One of the men said that they could not risk me escaping. He told the man with the wagon 'get rid of him. Make it look like an accident.'"
Mandie felt a rush of anger. "How could they?" she said furiously. "To think they planned to murder you and pretend it was an accident! That does it, Joe! We simply must get to the bottom of this. Those men are going to pay for the evils they've done." Her chest was heaving with emotion, but Tsa'ni seemed perfectly calm despite his near death.
"They tied me up and knocked me out again, just to be on the safe side, and I do not remember anything else until I woke up here," he finished.
"Well, we're going to get you some help and then put a stop to this once and for all," Mandie vowed. "I want those men in jail if it's the last thing I do!"
"That might be harder then you think, Mandie," Joe pointed out. "We still need to prove that they are doing something illegal."
"And attempted murder is not illegal?" Mandie demanded emphatically, gesturing towards Tsa'ni.
"Of course it is," Joe replied, "But who is to say that the authorities would believe us?"
"Why shouldn't they believe us?" Mandie said. "Tsa'ni was clearly beaten! There are no reasons to discredit us—"
"Joe is right," Tsa'ni interrupted surprisingly. Both Joe and Mandie stared at him. "We will not go to the white man's law," Tsa'ni said. "We must solve it ourselves. We only need some proof. I believe that the men are re-working maps and boundary lines to steal parts of the Reservation from the Cherokee."
"Why would they do that?" Mandie questioned, shocked by her cousin's theory.
Tsa'ni met her gaze evenly. "Has not the white man always stolen from the Cherokee what is ours?"
Mandie frowned at him. "I agree that my Cherokee kinspeople, and all Indians, have been treated terribly by our government, but things are changing now. Not all white people hate Indians, Tsa'ni."
"Maybe," he said, clearly unconvinced. "But you cannot deny that they have no right to trespass. It seems obvious to me that they are trying to steal our land."
"But why?" Mandie pressed him.
"Maybe they really are searching for gold," Joe put in.
Mandie shook her head. "No, that doesn't make sense. They had all the wrong tools, and the ones they did have, they just used for digging up random bushes and boulders. Tsa'ni's theory would actually fit with that fact. It does seem like they were changing land marks."
"But then what would they want the Cherokee land for?" Joe persisted.
"I told you!" Tsa'ni said. "It is the white man's way."
"That's just plain foolishness, Tsa'ni," Mandie argued. "They are not trying to steal y'all's land just because you're Indians."
"We will see," he said stubbornly. He looked at his hands, suddenly, as though just noticing the bandages. "My wrists," he said, looking at Mandie.
"They were torn up pretty badly from the ropes those men tied them with," she quickly explained. "Joe and I thought it best to keep them clean until we could get help. I thought the water might help soothe the raw skin, too."
Tsa'ni looked down at his hands for a long moment, his jaw clenching and unclenching. Mandie remained silent, after exchanging a glance with Joe.
"I guess we'd better get you back to Uncle Ned's," Mandie said finally, breaking the tense silence. "Everyone will want to know that you are safe." She frowned. "Except everyone will be waiting for us at the hospital. And that might be the best idea, considering the shape you're in, Tsa'ni. It's farther than Deep Creek, but—"
"I will be fine," Tsa'ni interrupted. "We can go to the Cherokee hospital."
"Alright," agreed Joe, after a moment. "I'll drive the wagon, Mandie, if you don't mind riding the horse." He stood and swung himself over the side of the wagon.
Mandie nodded. "I'll leave the water with you, Tsa'ni, but I think you should stay in the back of the wagon. Use the sacks to keep your head propped up."
Tsa'ni nodded, surprisingly, and made no argument. Mandie exchanged another glance with Joe, before moving to hop out of the wagon.
"Wait," said Tsa'ni, reaching to grasp her wrist. She paused, and turned to look down at him.
Her cousin's throat worked as he swallowed hard several times, and his dark eyes did not seem as cynical as usual. She waited silently, holding Tsa'ni's gaze with her own.
"Thank you," he said.
Mandie felt tears rise to her eyes, but she fought them back, knowing that Tsa'ni was unlikely to be farther moved by such a display of emotion. He scorned sentiment, she knew, but she also knew that his gratitude was heartfelt. He meant that "thank you"—Tsa'ni did not express appreciation lightly. I think Tsa'ni is finally starting to truly view me as his cousin, she realized—and that was worth more to her then any exaggerated emotion.
"You are welcome, Tsa'ni," Mandie replied, and turned away. Joe held out his hand, and she grasped it, clambering down from the wagon. She ignored the amazed expression on Joe's face and retrieved the horse where Joe had left it, tied to a tree.
"Here, let me help," Joe offered, gesturing to the horse.
"Thank you," said Mandie, allowing him to once again grasp her waist and boost her into the saddle. Once she was seated she looked down at him. "I suppose we'd better go back the way we came. Riley O'Neal will be worried."
Joe shook his head. "I told him to start heading back to the hospital, and that we would meet up with everybody there. We'll be getting there late at this point."
"That was smart," Mandie agreed. She glanced over at Tsa'ni in the wagon. "Hopefully he'll meet up with Dimar and Celia or Jonathan and Sallie on the way."
"Everybody?" Tsa'ni questioned, looking at both of them. "Why are you and all your friends split up?"
"We spent the morning searching for you," Mandie answered. "We've all been so worried. Dimar decided we could cover the most ground if we split into groups, with the intention to meet again this afternoon at the Cherokee hospital."
Tsa'ni looked down at his hands and didn't answer, most likely uncomfortable with the thought that Mandie and her friends had been out looking for him. Well, he sure is lucky that we were worried about him! He'd be in some awful straits right now if we hadn't come along.
Joe gathered the reins up, but instead of passing them to her, he placed his hand on her thigh. Mandie looked at him, raising her eyebrows at his serious expression.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm worried," he said, his voice low.
Mandie grinned. "What else is new?"
"Mandie, be serious for a minute," Joe admonished her, keeping his voice low enough for only her to hear. "This is becoming much more dangerous than we thought. Those men didn't think twice about tossing your cousin over the side of a cliff. They might not have succeeded, but they'll know you're the one who found him. That means you already know too much. You stirred up trouble for them in Franklin, and now you're an even bigger threat. If you're not careful, who knows what they might do—"
"I'll be careful, Joe," Mandie interjected, covering his hand with hers. "Really," she added, seeing his skeptical look. "Besides, I'm not afraid. I have you, remember?" She took the reins from him. "Now let's get going, or we'll never make to the hospital before dark, much less this afternoon!"
It's good to be home among my fellow Mandiefans again, you guys! I hope you all forgive me for the wait and I also hope you enjoyed the chapter. Again, my sincerest apologies for the completely LAME mystery plot, but it's too late to change it so... and not that I could come up with something better anyway!
New question: what's your favorite, or which scene do you think is the best Mandie/Joe moment? I think every time they're at the cemetery together is adorable, and also that part in Buried Stranger when he says she's beautiful is A + + +