A/N: The account of the Sabine Women I took from Wikipedia. It's under "The Rape of the Sabine Women" ('Rape' in those times just meant 'kidnap')

I apologize for the lapse in writing.

-7-

That night Milly got out the quilt she had started working on. We all chose a seat and took a section. I ran the material through my fingers gently, and wondered how on earth Milly had thought she was going to be able to complete it herself. It was huge.

"Now girls," Milly said as she handed out needles, thread and patches. "Do you want to talk, or shall I read to you?"

"Read please, Milly," Alice said softly.

"Alright, the boys aren't much for reading, so there are hardly any books around here. The only ones that I know of are the ones that I brought with me: Plutarch's Lives and the Bible."

"That sounds lovely, Milly." Sarah smiled as she started on her square.

Milly began to read.

The story she was reading was quite obviously the one that had inspired the brothers to come and get us. My hands and fingers were moving automatically as I stared into space, letting Milly's voice bring the story to life before my eyes.

The Romans, spears upright, stopped to water their horses. They stopped, entranced by the vision of the women by the stream. They went on their way, unable to forget what they had seen. Their city was built, but the men were lonely. They needed wives.

The stern commander, marching determinedly to the Sabine town, was ready to offer whatever he could. The stern Sabine men would have none of it. A trap, very clever, was sprung. The women were theirs!

*knock*knock*knock*

The sound brought me back to my senses. Who could it be? Which of them is it?

It was Caleb, stammering out that it was cold and he needed a blanket. I smiled at him, and knew that behind me, Ruth was doing the same. It was adorable. I turned my attention back to the quilt, and Milly had just barely begun to read again, when there was another knock.

It was Ben! I couldn't help but smile at the way he said his name with confidence.

"What do you want?" Milly asked sharply.

He grasped his leg and explained that he needed some liniment. My smile fell. Was he really hurt? Something must have happened on the way back to the barn. As he limped forward, I realized that he was faking it. Once again I was all smiles, until Liza pushed me. I almost fell onto the floor; I was able to catch myself just before I did.

I couldn't take my eyes off him. He lingered a little bit longer than necessary over the medicine cabinet, and he quickly caught my eye. But he must have noticed that the other girls were watching too, because he quickly made his way back to the door.

After he left, I kept my eyes on the door. Why? What was I hoping for? I didn't know. Reluctantly I turned my eyes to the square before me. There was a third knock at the door.

I looked up hopefully. Was it him, bringing the liniment back?

It was Gideon, with his neck craned awkwardly to the side. As the door was opened wider, I could see the rest of the boys there too; all were hoping for a chance to get through those front doors.

Milly quickly shooed them away and started reading again. But I couldn't focus.

I stared dreamily out the window, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of him.

What was it about him that made my heart leap in my chest?

-7-

The snow that started that evening never stopped. I never knew that time could pass so quickly, and yet so slowly at the same time.