Y'all this is why I don't have friends. In fact, I can't believe you guys have stuck around so long. I'm such a terrible person haha. But hopefully you all knew that no matter how long it took – I would return! The past year has been pretty crazy. Lots of exciting trips, lots of boring work, and lots of writing! I don't like to brag, but I think I'm doing a little bit better than other Mandie writers that I could name... dghalkdhfkneonnightlightshdfnaksdjfakjsf. Anyway, first things first:
I'd like to call to order the first meeting of the Official Senator Morten Fan Club. Thank you all for attending. Our first order of business is to pledge our support to Senator Morten's relationship with Grandmother Taft, over any other potential suitors, namely Lindall Guyer. **NOTE** I do realize that some of my reviewers expressed their preferred admiration for Mr. Guyer. However, it was a fair vote, and the Senator Morten fangirls have it. We are now all stuck in the Fan Club by default.
Reviews:
Maya-Papaya13: thank you! I'm so glad you like the story. As for Mandie and Joe kissing... well, it will eventually happen, but not in this story. Guess you'll just have to stick around with me for the next 75384753 years to see what happens!
Guest: omg I have to admit that I really loved writing that part (when Mandie puts her arms around Joe's waist on the horse, for anyone wondering). It felt so Mandie/Joe but I also liked how it portrayed that their relationship is definitely shifting into something more, whether Mandie wants to admit it or not! As for Dimar and Sallie... I really haven't decided where I want them to go. I mean, it's clear from the books that Dimar is still into Mandie, so I will have to do something about that eventually. Sallie seems to like Dimar, but then Tsa'ni also has a soft spot for her. I guess we'll see!
MandieFan: I love the ending of Seaside Rendezvous! It was so cute. I remember reading it for the first time and when Joe said he loved her I nearly melted. Thanks for your kind words, and for waiting for this next update!
Neon-Night-Light: haha I've accidentally deleted so many of my reviews that I'm honestly surprised I still bother to write them, since I get so frustrated. Thank you for your review, as always! I'm so glad you're enjoying Jonathan, and the Mandie/Joe moments I've been sprinkling in. Those are all such great Mandie/Joe scenes! Anything in The Angel's Secret is literally gold I can't even with that book. I loveloveLOVE their farewell in The Long Goodbye and I'd totally forgotten about that adorable moment from The Missing Schoolmarm! And the poem from Young Mandie! Joe is too much. Enjoy the update... actually, I take that back. You are forbidden from enjoying the update until you update Thorns of Love. Yeesh.
Annefan(guest): thank you! Yes, the Charley Gap books are amazing. Everytime Mandie mentions the graveyard I'm like OMG YES IT'S JOE TIME
CantDecideOnUsername: Mandie and Joe are just perfect, I know, and Missing Kinsoooo good. Also that argument they have near the end is hilarious.
Fireflylover(guest): I think the fact that the infamous Seaside Rendezvousparty/Joe's adorable declaration of love takes place at Senator Morten just adds to his amazing traits. In fact, he is probably a major Mandie/Joe fangirl. This is why he has a Fan Club! Enjoy the update!
Guest: sorry it took so long! Enjoy!
MandieFan: haha I love how you are going back to older chapters so you can review again and tell me to update. I really am a terrible person lol.
MandieWoodard(guest): Buried Stranger is just so cute all the way through! Thank you for reviewing, and especially for saying it reminds you of the originals! That is the best compliment/encouragement I can receive. I will keep writing, I promise! And yes, I'm on wattpad, my username is ci_marie. I don't have any Mandie on there, though. I only post my parodies. One is called The Haunted Mansion Cliche which is a major crossover between loads of different fandoms – Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Narnia, Avengers, Sherlock, Star Wars... pretty much, if you name a fandom, it's in it at some point. I also have my Dr. Quinn parody on there. Anyway, thank you again for both your reviews, I'm so glad you like my stories! And those quotes are all adorable. I love all the times they mention Joe while she's in Europe! Enjoy!
CantDecideOnUsername: omg you guys are all literally reviewing other chapters because I'm such an update disappointment. That scene in Mandie and the Medicine Man is perfect! I've re-read that book about three times in the past year, just for reference in my story, and every time I read that part I sigh ^.^ Thank you for your faithful reviews, and more importantly, for joining the Official Senator Morten Fan Club!
Guest: I'm so sorry for making you wait so long! Enjoy the update!
Guest: here you go! Thanks for reading!
Booklover(guest): thank you thank you thank you! That is just what I need to hear! Yes, I am still updating, and yes, I will keep writing Mandie fics! Trust me, no matter how long it takes, I do not abandon stories. That's too cruel! Thank you so much for your kind words, you have no idea how helpful they are! I'm really glad that you like the stories, and that you appreciate my attempt to remain faithful to the originals. There will of course be plenty of development between Mandie and Joe as the stories continue!
Anne Shirley(guest): sorry for making you wait so long! Enjoy!
SavageFaith: Wow! Thank you so, so much! This is so encouraging. And Joe's childish jealousy is definitely a must-have (sorry for disappointing you all when he didn't freak at Jonathan carrying Mandie in the last story. I still feel bad about that!). Don't worry, I will keep writing!
SmallNotesConcerncingMyThoughts: I'm soooo sorry for the wait! Thank you for reviewing, and don't worry about bugging me. I clearly need to be bugged about updates lol. Thank you for your kindness towards my pitiful mystery. I'm hoping to make it a littlebetter, but we'll see hah. I'm glad you like my Mandie/Joe moments! There will be more!
Again, thank you to everyone who continues to read and review. I apologize for the very long delay. Enjoy the new chapter and let me know what you think!
The sun was high overhead, and though the tall, leafy trees provided plenty of shade, Mandie felt hot and dusty, and perspiration beaded her forehead. She ran a hand through her hair, pushing it out of her eyes and attempting to smooth it back into place. They were making slow progress, and she knew that Joe's careful driving was necessary, to keep Tsa'ni as still and comfortable as possible, but she couldn't help feeling impatient. She rode alongside the wagon to keep an eye on her cousin, and tried to think of what their next step should be. They had found Tsa'ni, but were no closer to discovering what the strangers were up to, and as much as she hated to admit it, Joe was right – the men had proved dangerous, and that meant that they were running out of time to solve the mystery before someone else got hurt. I'm glad I was right about Tsa'ni, that he wasn't involved in this trouble, but it sure would have made things a lot easier if he was! She flipped the reins against the palm of her hand, wishing for the hundredth time that they were already at Bird-town so they could start figuring out what to do.
Tsa'ni looked tense and uncomfortable in the wagon bed; whenever it jolted to the side or bumped over something, he winced and held a hand to his ribs, but didn't say anything. Mandie felt a pang of unease, watching him. Those men would have killed Tsa'ni if she and Joe hadn't happened to come along. They needed to be stopped – and soon.
"What I don't understand," Mandie said, breaking the silence, "is how nobody knew that those men had you, Tsa'ni. There were more braves watching the border than just you and Dimar. Even if they missed you getting caught, surely someone would have seen this wagon, and wondered what that man was up to." She shook her head. "I mean, who loads a wagon up with old burlap sacks and heads higher up into the mountains – and deeper into Cherokee land."
"I don't understand that myself," Joe agreed. "Maybe they thought –"
"Those men didn't keep me at the border," Tsa'ni interrupted.
Mandie glanced at him, surprised. "They didn't? Then where were you?"
He frowned. "I am not sure," he said slowly, "but I think it was a cave some miles north of Deep Creek. I know the cave. I have been there before. The white men kept me blindfolded –"
"Then how could you know where you were?" Joe asked, somewhat skeptically.
"I know it was not the border," Tsa'ni insisted. "I listened to them talking, when they thought I was unconscious, and it seemed strange that there were never many people there, and that I could not hear the men outside working."
"That makes sense," Mandie agreed "But why do you think it was this cave?"
"It was familiar to me," Tsa'ni answered. "I know that it only had two open areas – a smaller entrance, and a big space once you go farther in. I remembered that the entrance had dark green moss on the walls. I felt it on my skin. I know of a cave like this."
"And you would be able to find it again?" Mandie asked eagerly, unable to contain her excitement. She slowed her horse to a stop and Joe did the same with the wagon, turning in the seat to look at Tsa'ni.
"Of course," Tsa'ni said, his eyes flashing. "I told you. I have been to the cave before. I know my way around these mountains."
"Yes, yes, I know," said Mandie. "The men might have left a clue behind – and they won't expect Tsa'ni to know where they kept him." She tightened her hold on the reins. "As soon as we get to Bird-town – we'll get you fixed up first, Tsa'ni – we can speak with Uncle Ned, and then we can head for the cave and see if we can find anything."
Tsa'ni shook his head. "That is foolish. The cave is much nearer to Deep Creek. We should go now. Coming back after Bird-town will be a waste of time."
"Tsa'ni, you're in no fit state to go tramping around looking for this cave," Joe warned him. "We need to get you to my father, and then you can tell Uncle Ned where to go."
"Joe's right, Tsa'ni," said Mandie reluctantly, meeting her cousin's angry gaze. "You need to see Dr. Woodard, and stay home to rest and heal." But Tsa'ni's right too – it will be a waste of time.
"Fine," said Tsa'ni, stiffly. "I am the one who knows where the cave is. I will just go by myself later."
Mandie and Joe exchanged a glance at the Indian boy's stubbornness. Joe looked exasperated, but Mandie wondered if Tsa'ni's idea might be a good one.
"He does have a point, Joe," Mandie began cautiously. "Besides, we won't be going terribly out of our way."
Joe's jaw set briefly. "Mandie," he said impatiently, "You know we have to get Tsa'ni back so my father can look at him—"
"I am fine," Tsa'ni insisted.
Mandie bit her lip, torn between her desire to look for more clues and her anxiety for Tsa'ni. His face seemed strained and pale, even with his browned skin, but his expression was set in angry determination. Joe looked from her to Tsa'ni and threw up his hands.
"Oh, alright," he said. "I can see I'm getting nowhere with you two. We'll have to abandon the wagon once we start to get close, or it will make too much noise."
Mandie nodded. "I know," she said, and glanced at Tsa'ni. "Will you be okay walking a ways?"
"Yes," he answered shortly. She bit back her concerns. It would do no good to try and talk him into staying with the wagon. Tsa'ni was stubborn and foolish, but he was strong.
Joe sighed and flipped the reins, the wagon rolling forward at a slow pace. Mandie guided her horse behind the back, since the path was getting to tight to fit them both. She knew the others would probably have headed for the hospital by now, especially if Riley had found them and let them know they had separated. She and Joe had found Tsa'ni, but now she was desperate to find some clues to bring back to Bird-town, so the Council could decide what to do about the men.
Mandie and Joe left the wagon and the horse behind and followed Tsa'ni as he led them on a winding trail down the mountain. Mandie kept quiet and tried to listen for sounds of the intruders, but she could only hear the familiar sounds of the woods. The men must have left.
They had only been walking for about fifteen minutes when Tsa'ni stopped abruptly and frowned, then pointed to a small hollow just ahead. "Here," he announced. "This is it." Mandie looked around, but didn't see anything that resembled the entrance to a cave. She watched, intrigued, as Tsa'ni limped forward and stepped behind a narrow space between two boulders. "It is hidden just behind these," he explained. "From where you are standing, the entrance is almost invisible."
Mandie exchanged an excited glance with Joe and followed Tsa'ni, slipping between the natural disguise and turning right into the mouth of Tsa'ni's cave. "How did those men find this?" she wondered, moving aside as Joe came up behind her.
"I do not know," Tsa'ni admitted. "But they assumed I could not find my way back to it," he added proudly.
"How far back does it go?" Joe asked.
"There are two chambers," Tsa'ni replied. "The one here and a larger one to the right. It does not go much farther than the back wall there. They kept me in the back part."
"Come on, let's go see it," said Mandie, brushing past her cousin and hugging the stone on the right until she found the opening to the chamber. Without the sunlight that filtered through the mouth of the cave, it was completely dark. She took a few small steps, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the gloom. Joe followed her, searching through his pockets. "Here," he said. Mandie turned as he produced a match and a small candle he must have found in the wagon. He struck the match on the wall and lit the candle, illuminating the dark room.
"Good thinking," Mandie said gratefully. She took the candle and walked slowly around the chamber, searching for anything the men might have left behind. "They sure were careful," Mandie remarked. "Not much here besides rocks."
"I don't get it," said Joe. "They're cautious enough to clean up after themselves, tie up any loose ends – cover their tracks to the extent of murder... but keep working and digging in broad daylight for all the world to see. They know they're being watched. What's the point?"
Mandie thought for a moment. "Maybe they want to be watched," she suggested, turning to look at Joe. "Maybe all that nonsense is to distract us from whatever they're doing here – whatever they didn't want Tsa'ni to see."
Joe whistled. "So a cover-up. That could make sense." He glanced at Tsa'ni, who was still standing in the narrow passage between the rooms. "We should head for the hospital," Joe said. "They'll be waiting for us and Tsa'ni needs to see my father. We can tell Uncle Ned everything once we get to Bird-town."
Mandie sighed. "You're right," she agreed, surprised when Tsa'ni didn't argue. "I really thought we would find some answers here." She glanced quickly around again, and held out the candle for Joe to take, then noticed something crumpled and sticking slightly out of a crevice by Tsa'ni's foot. "There's something here!" she said, pushing past Joe and bending down. She frowned, grasping the corner and working it out slowly to keep it from tearing. "It's paper," she said, and added excitedly: "There's some writing on it! Look!"
Joe held the candle carefully over the paper and they both bent down to read it.
OUNCES OP. OUNCES SIL. OUNCES
POWDERS MELTED GOODS
175 50 210
230
Mandie glanced at Joe. "What in the world does all that mean?"
"It looks like part of a list of goods... a shipment or something," Joe answered, frowning. "We only have a scrap of the paper, so there must be more."
"Do you think it's a record of what they're using all those crates for?" Mandie asked.
"Could be," said Joe. "Except according to Tsa'ni – and from what Dimar's said as well – those crates are all empty."
"That is right," Tsa'ni confirmed. "The crates they kept with them are all empty. And this still does not explain the digging."
"Unless we're right about all that nonsense being a distraction," Mandie countered.
"Let's talk about it on the way to the hospital," Joe interjected, with a worried glance at Tsa'ni. "Besides, maybe the others will have more news."
Mandie carefully folded the paper and handed it to Joe, who tucked it in the pocket of his trousers. Tsa'ni was leaning against the wall. He tried to look unconcerned, but Mandie could tell by his tight expression and the stiffness of his body that he was in more pain than he cared to admit. She hesitated, than stepped up to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Come on, I'll help you back to the wagon," she said briskly, avoiding his gaze. She thought he would argue, but to her surprise, he placed an arm gingerly across her shoulders. Mandie wisely kept her mouth shut and helped him back through the narrow tunnel and out of the cave. He was limping now, and he kept his free hand pressed against his ribs. Joe passed them and exchanged a glance with Mandie, but made no comment. It took them longer to get back to the wagon, with Mandie and Tsa'ni's slow pace, but once they reached it, Joe helped Tsa'ni into the wagon bed and handed him the canteen of water. Mandie swung herself back up on the horse.
"We're going to the hospital now," Joe said, in a tone that brooked no arguments. He looked suspiciously at Mandie and then Tsa'ni, as if he expected them to protest and insist on another side trip. Tsa'ni closed his eyes and nodded, leaning stiffly against the back of the wagon bed.
"What are you waiting around for?" Mandie asked innocently. "Let's go!" She hid a smile at Joe's exasperated expression and guided her horse around the wagon, starting out at a quick pace towards the Cherokee hospital.
Dimar was the first to spot them. He must have been watching for them, because Mandie had barely seen the walls of the hospital before he came running up.
"Mandie! There you are. We were getting worried." He looked past her to Joe, who was farther behind. "Where did that wagon come from?"
"We'll explain in a moment," said Mandie. "First, we need to get Tsa'ni to Dr. Woodard."
Dimar grabbed the reins to slow her horse. "You found him?"
Mandie nodded. "He's in the wagon. I'll ride ahead and let Dr. Woodard know."
Dimar dropped the reins and ran back to the wagon, and Mandie spurred the horse to a gallop. Sallie was waiting outside the hospital. She hurried up as Mandie dismounted.
"You are back! I was worried – did you find him?" She looked carefully at Mandie. "What is wrong?"
"We found him," Mandie said. "He's hurt pretty bad." She looked past Sallie. "Did Mr. O'Neal make it back okay?"
Sallie nodded. "He arrived about the same time Celia and Dimar did, I think. Jonathan and I only got here an hour or so ago. Mr. O'Neal had to go back to the schoolhouse. Where is Tsa'ni?"
"He's coming. Joe has him in the wagon. Dimar is with them. I need to get Dr. Woodard."
"Of course," said Sallie. "He is inside. I will take the horse."
Mandie thanked her and ran inside. Joe's father was talking with one of the Cherokee who worked regularly in the hospital. "Dr. Woodard!"
He looked around. "There you are, Miss Amanda. I was hoping you and Joe would make it before I had to leave."
"We found Tsa'ni, Dr. Woodard," Mandie explained quickly. "He's hurt. Joe's bringing him now."
Dr. Woodard grabbed his bag and followed her outside, where Joe and Dimar were helping Tsa'ni out of the wagon bed. "Dad!" Joe looked relieved. "I wasn't sure if you would still be here. Nothing is broken, but his ribs and face are bruised pretty badly."
Dr. Woodard frowned and carefully checked Tsa'ni's swollen cheekbone and bruised ribs. Tsa'ni flinched several times, but kept silent. After a minute, Dr. Woodard nodded, looking grim. "You're right, Joe, nothing is broken, but I'll need to bind his ribs. You're going to be in quite a bit of pain the next few weeks, Tsa'ni."
Tsa'ni grimaced and grasped Dimar's shoulder to limp forward. "I will be fine. We need to hurry so we can be on our way to Bird-town."
"Take it easy, Tsa'ni," Joe cautioned him. "You could end up fracturing your ribs if you're not careful."
Mandie and Sallie followed them inside. Tsa'ni lowered himself slowly onto one of the tidy beds lining the wall, and Dr. Woodard took out a strong-smelling ointment to treat his bruised skin.
"We have so much to tell y'all," Mandie said to Dimar and Sallie. She looked around. "But where are Celia and Jonathan?"
"They already went on to Bird-town," Sallie informed her. "Your uncle Jesse was here, hoping we had some news of Tsa'ni. He went on to Bird-town, and Jonathan was tired of 'waiting around,' as he put it. He went along and dragged poor Celia with him. They have my grandfather's wagon."
Mandie smiled. "That sounds like Jonathan. Once Dr. Woodard fixes Tsa'ni up, we can get going. I think we have quite a lot of information that Uncle and the council will want to hear." She pulled the scrap of paper they had found from her pocket. "Look at this!"
Dimar scanned it, frowning, and then handed it to Sallie. She read it quickly. "It is some sort of list?" she guessed, giving it back to Mandie.
"That's what we think," said Mandie. "An account of some sort of goods."
"It's only a small piece of the account, obviously," Joe added. "I don't know how much good it will do, but it's a start."
"If what happened to Tsa'ni is any indication, then we will need to solve this quickly," Dimar said, looking uneasy.
Mandie tucked the paper back in her pocket. "We will," she said confidently. "We'll talk with Uncle Ned and Uncle John, and then decide what to do next. Somehow, this all has to tie together with those strangers in Franklin and those beads Joe and I found."
Dr. Woodward joined them. "I'll need to leave in the next hour or so. I've treated Tsa'ni's face and sides. His ribs will need to be checked regularly, and he can't put too much stress on them, or he might fracture one. There are plenty of supplies here. His wrists will be fine as long as he keeps them clean. They'll be bruised for a little while."
"Thank you, Dr. Woodard," Mandie said gratefully.
"Can he travel to Bird-town?" Joe asked.
Dr. Woodard pressed his lips together, thoughtful. "I suppose so," he said, after a moment. "He will need to ride in the wagon. No horse riding for a week or two." He looked at Tsa'ni, who was still seated on the bed. "I know you want to help as much as you can, but you will need to be careful," he reminded him.
Tsa'ni nodded stiffly, his expression hard. Mandie guessed it was more from pain than anger. "I'll help you to the wagon, Tsa'ni," she said, not wanting to waste another minute. She hugged Dr. Woodard before helping Tsa'ni up, wrapping her arm carefully around his bandaged sides. Joe said goodbye to his father, before following Dimar and Sallie outside.
"I will take the horse, Mandie," said Dimar, as she and Tsa'ni made their way around to the wagon. "You and Sallie can ride with Joe."
"That's fine," Mandie agreed. She and Joe both grasped Tsa'ni's arms to boost him into the back of the wagon, and she jumped up behind. Sallie climbed onto the seat and held the reins out to Joe when he came around.
"Come on," Dimar urged, swinging himself onto the horse. "We can make it to Bird-town in less than an hour if we hurry. Everyone will want to know what Tsa'ni is safe."
"And what those men are capable of," Mandie added, exchanging a glance with Joe. The wagon jerked a little as Joe followed Dimar down the rough mountain road that led to Bird-town. Tsa'ni winced, and steadied himself by grasping the side of the wagon. Mandie leaned against the side and drew her knees up, thinking of the scrap of paper, and if they could find the rest of it. It might just pay to give the border another visit, and see if they could discover anything about the men's curious work.
It's another short/slightly boring one, I know (sorry!), but things will soon be heating up, I promise!
I'd like to thank all of the attendees of this first Official Senator Morten Fan Club meeting. It's going to be a really great year for us SM fangirls!
This update's question: Mandie's been pretty much everywhere in southeastern USA, as well as a few states up north and all over Europe. What has been your favorite location Mandie visits/returns to throughout the books? I'm obviously a big fan of the Charley Gap moments, as well as the Cherokee reservation. However, I also loved when they were in St. Augustine and I thought their time in Rome in The Silent Catacombs was super cool.