"Felicity!"
Felicity turned the next morning at the call of her long-time friend Elizabeth Cole.
"Good morning." Felicity greeted her.
"And the same to you." Elizabeth rushed ahead, getting to what was really on her mind. "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Felicity asked starting back on the path to her father's store with Elizabeth at her side.
"Is Ben really back?"
"He's working in the store as we speak, yes."
"How is he?" Elizabeth asked with concern.
"Again, what do you mean?"
"You know how the war has changed some. Is he all right?"
"He seems to be, yes. He hasn't changed much in his mannerisms."
"Otherwise?" Elizabeth asked, a bright look in her eyes.
Felicity found herself blushing aggravatingly. "Come see for yourself. I refuse to gossip in the street."
Elizabeth giggled at her friend as the girls continued on to the Merriman's store. When they arrived, Marcus was stocking the shelves and Father was with a customer.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Miss Merriman? Miss Cole?" Ben came up behind them and asked.
Felicity jumped, wishing Elizabeth would quit smiling at her like she was. "I need a cone of sugar, please." She answered.
"Of course."
The girls followed Ben as he went behind the counter and began to measure and pack the sugar.
"More apple butter?" He asked.
Felicity nodded, twisting her face into a childish scowl.
Ben smiled. "I'm surprised that you're not taking refuge on the roof then."
"Will I never live that down?" Felicity asked. "I was nine!"
"And you could see your flame-red locks for miles around."
"You could not!" she objected, thinking how nice it was to see him smile.
"How would you know? Here's your sugar." He handed it to her and Felicity felt a rush of heat shoot up her arm as their hands brushed.
"Thank you."
"What could I help you with, Miss Cole?"
"I need lace for my wedding dress. Do you have anything new in since last month?"
"A wedding? Congratulations. And to answer your question, follow me."
Felicity helped Elizabeth choose her lace, and then the young ladies started to leave.
"Good day, ladies." Ben said.
"Good bye." Elizabeth replied.
"I shall see you at home, Ben." Felicity answered.
"Indeed you shall. I shall look forward to it."
Once the store was behind them, Elizabeth gave her an inquiring look. "Forward, indeed, don't you think?"
"I think you're reading too much into it. Ever since you met Thomas, you have seen romance where ever you go, whether it is there or not. In this case, it is most certainly not there."
Elizabeth smiled knowingly. "We shall see."
This will be a multi-chapter, but I'm not sure how long it'll take me. It may be hit and miss as I figure out how to get it to where I want it. Please review and check out my other stories (on FictionPress too)!