Hey! I'm back with another chapter as promised (once a week) Hope you guys enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment!

Alsooo...I'll try to do shoutouts as often as I can.

EquestrianIntrovert- Thanks for the positive feedback, and as for the tragic romance, you're gonna find that out sooner or later. *wink wink*

Guest- thanks for reviewing! I present to you another chapter!

Chapter 2 (Back Home)

Not long after, the buggy pulled into the driveway of the Shaw's residence. And before Abraham could properly park the vehicle, Mandie jumped out and ran towards the house, while Celia, the more cautious one, waited for the buggy to be parked properly, before alighting.

Reaching the door, Mandie and Celia held their breath and opened the door. They were immediately greeted by a welcoming committee. Elizabeth, Mandie's mother, Uncle Ned, Morningstar, Sallie, Jonathan, Mr. Guyer and Mrs. Hamilton were all there, awaiting their arrival.

"Amanda, darling!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she gave her daughter an affectionate kiss, "we've missed you so much."

"Oh Mother! It's so good to see you," Mandie embraced her mother.

"Now, now, I know you miss your mother,'' Jonathan spoke up from behind Mandie. "But, surely you must have missed me too, right?"

"Oh my! Jonathan Lindall Guyer the Third, you gave me a fright, sneaking up like that." Mandie laughingly chided, embracing her good ol Yankee friend. "Of course I've missed you too, silly!"

"Jonathan! I've missed you so much!" Celia squealed in delight as she too hugged Jonathan

"Got into any trouble lately?" Mandie teasingly asked Jonathan.

"Excuse moi, mademoiselle," Jonathan pretended to look deeply offended, " I do believe you were, and still are, the one always getting us into trouble." Shaking his head he added, "Not me."

"I believe both of you are always the impulsive ones in the group." Sallie laughed, looking at Mandie and Jonathan.

"Sallie! It's so good to see you!" Mandie exclaimed joyfully, as she hugged her Cherokee friend. Ever since the day she had met this kind-hearted girl, Mandie had always regarded her as a sister. After all, she was one-fourth Cherokee herself and was rather proud of that fact.

"Where's Joe?" Mandie asked, "hasn't he arrived already? She had forgotten what her Uncle John had said earlier regarding Joe.

"Nope, he had to stay back in college for a mock case practice. And as you know, he's graduating in in a few week's time. He's been trying to soak in all the knowledge this couple of months." Jonathan replied, then with his signature grin, he added,

"Can't believe Joe's graduating so soon, it feels like yesterday Mandie introduced him to me as her lifelong friend." Celia sighed, reminiscing the good old days.

"Did he say when he's arriving?" Mandie asked.

"He should be here in about a day or two."

"Hmm..Why aren't Joe's parents here?" Celia asked, looking around the parlor.

"Dr. Woodard had to attend to a Mrs. Galvinson and Mrs. Woodard went to a departmental store around town this morning." Sallie replied, "She should be coming back soon."

"We should probably go get changed." Celia gently tugged at Mandie's arm.

Just as they were about to head upstairs, a soft, fury ball of white snuggled up to Mandie's ankle.

"snowball!" Mandie scooped the cat in her arms, "did you miss me? Oh of course you did, it's a pity the school has a no pets policy. How ridi..."

Celia tugged on her arm again, "Mandie we should probably go."

"Oh right, let's go." Mandie followed Celia up the stairs.