Alright, I know it's been forever since I've updated (don't hate me!), but I do have an excuse—I'm actually working on another project right now, a book that I hope to eventually get published, and that has to take precedence. I am continuing to work on my story, of course, and I have the whole thing mapped out, it's just finding time to write/edit the parts that I'm having difficulty with. Again, don't worry, I'm fully planning to continue this Mandie fanfic and others, and I'm very sorry about the wait!
Heart4cats (guest): thank you, thank you, thank you! I can never get enough encouragement, and I especially love hearing that my fanfic sounds like the books. Thanks for the constructive criticism—I didn't even notice my mistake, and to be honest, I almost did it again this evening!
Lily101 (guest): again, so sorry for the wait! Yes, I'm writing more chapters—several more in fact As for Mandie and Joe kissing… hmm… I don't know if I should reveal so much… haha, just kidding. The truth is that I'm still debating that. As I said, I'm planning on writing more, so maybe I'll save that for later!
Audrey (guest): thank you! Like I've said, that is the best compliment I could ever receive! As to your question about the twins, well… actually, I was already planning on explaining why I've left them out before I saw your review. The answer is simply this: though they were originally added by Lois Gladys Leppard, I didn't really like their addition. I thought it was a bit far-fetched, maybe even sentimental, and I didn't feel like it added anything to the stories. Of course, I was happy for Uncle John and Elizabeth, but I still felt like it wasn't needed. Therefore, I decided not to include them in my fanfic, only because I didn't particularly like the idea. I'm not resenting the author's writing in any way, it is just my opinion. I hope my readers aren't too disappointed :/
Well then, without farther adieux, I present to you: chapter 7!
Mandie dashed quickly through the woods, Joe hard on her heels, chasing whoever or whatever they had seen.
"Mandie, be careful," Joe warned from behind her. She didn't answer, but slowed down a little, straining her eyes to penetrate through the thick woods.
"I don't see any sign of them," she said over her shoulder to Joe.
"We'll catch them," he answered confidently. They came to a small clearing between a few trees, and Mandie skidded to a halt, digging her shoes into the ground to keep her balance. Joe halted quickly behind her.
"Which way?" he asked, slightly out of breath from their chase. Mandie took a big gulp of air and shrugged. She knelt down on the ground and searched for prints.
"Not much," she said in disappointment, frowning at the slightly impacted earth. Past the clearing, the ground was once again littered with stones, leaves, and sticks—too much for Mandie's skills to decipher. We need Uncle Ned with us, she thought. She stood and circled the clearing, checking for snapped twigs and bruised leaves.
"Here!" she said excitedly to Joe, pointing to a bent branch with a recently crumpled leaf. He stooped beside her.
"Good eye," he said admiringly. Mandie felt herself blush and didn't meet his gaze. She always felt strange when Joe complimented her.
"They went this way," she answered instead, and led the way out of the clearing, noting a few more upset branches, and picking up her pace.
They continued quickly for a few more minutes, when Joe suddenly grabbed her arm, halting her.
"Mandie!" he hissed, pointing ahead. "Look!"
Mandie peered ahead, and made out the faint shape of a deerskin jacket crouched among the trees. She nodded and held a finger to her lips, before motioning forward. They crept silently along, closer and closer to the figure, until they were only a few feet away.
Mandie took a deep breath and prepared to burst forward to confront whoever it was, but as she stepped out, stones shifted beneath her foot, and her ankle rolled out. She slipped to the side and crashed to the ground, the small stones skidding out from under her feet.
Immediately, whoever it was leapt up and bolted. Joe let them go, dropping on his knees beside Mandie in concern.
"Mandie!" he said, seizing her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Mandie sat up, wincing. She felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment, although she wasn't sure why. She looked up into Joe's concerned face.
"I'm fine," she assured him, brushing her bruised palms off on her dress. "Did you recognize whoever it was?"
Joe shook his head. "I didn't get a good look at their face."
"Oh, shucks!" Mandie exclaimed. "I guess they're long gone by now."
"Sorry, Mandie," Joe apologized.
"It's alright," she said. "Maybe Uncle Ned will help us later."
Joe didn't reply, but helped her to her feet. Mandie tested her ankle unsteadily. She felt a slight twinge when she put all of her weight on it, but it didn't hurt too badly.
"Are you hurt?" Joe asked anxiously, gripping her arm. Mandie forced a smile and laughed lightly.
"I'll be okay," she answered. "My ankle is a little sore, but I can manage."
"I can carry you," Joe offered.
"No!" Mandie protested quickly, her cheeks flaming. Joe looked a little startled at her swift reply. She forced herself to calm down and offered him a smile. "I mean, I'm fine, really. Let's get back to the others."
"Here, let me help," Joe said, grasping Mandie's hand and taking the lead. She squeezed his hand gratefully as they started back, Joe leading carefully and slowly.
"I think you're right," Joe remarked as they continued along. "If anyone can help, it's Uncle Ned. I'm sure he can find whoever it was."
Mandie nodded. "Uncle John will probably want to help too," she agreed. "Especially if this is still his property."
"If it is," Joe reminded her. "I would be surprised if his property line extended so far up into the mountains. We're a good few miles from the house."
Mandie glanced up at the sky. "What time is it, do you know?" she asked.
Joe shrugged. "It must be around four o'clock."
"We should probably head back soon," she said.
"We still have time," he assured her. "We'll ask the others. Besides, it will be quicker going back down the mountain than it was coming up."
A few minutes later, they rejoined their friends.
"There you are!" Jonathan said, turning around as Mandie and Joe pushed through the bushes to join them.
"What happened, Mandie?" Sallie asked in concern, noticing Mandie's slight limp.
Mandie let go of Joe's hand and sat down on a rock, slowly rotating her ankle. "I'm fine," she answered. "I just slipped and fell."
"Did you sprain your ankle?" Celia asked anxiously.
Mandie shook her head. "I think it's just a slight twist."
"She probably wouldn't have been able to walk on it if she had sprained it," Jonathan agreed.
"Ya'll need to stop worrying," Mandie stated emphatically. She was starting to get embarrassed by the attention. When Joe continued to frown at her, she quickly changed the subject. "Joe says that we still have time before dinner to keep exploring. What do ya'll think?"
"Maybe we should go back," Celia said at once.
"No, no," Jonathan objected. "Mandie says she's fine. Let's keep going."
"Well, if Mandie is sure," Celia began, but Mandie quickly cut her off.
"Of course I'm sure. I'm fine. I agree with Jonathan, this is very interesting."
"Alright," Celia agreed reluctantly.
"I will help Mandie if her ankle hurts her," Sallie offered. Mandie smiled her thanks and rose to her feet.
"Come on, then," said Jonathan, needing no farther encouragement. He took the lead, with Joe close behind. Mandie smiled to herself at their boyish eagerness. Celia and Sallie walked more slowly to accommodate Mandie.
When they had walked on farther, they came across more rocky parts of the mountain, making it seem almost cliff-like. Mandie and Joe had climbed such things many times, growing up in the country. Sallie, of course, was more used to mountain terrain than any of them. Jonathan, however, was a city boy through and through, and he grew extremely excited at the prospect of rock-climbing.
"Really, Jonathan, we did much more exciting things in Europe," Mandie reminded him.
"I've never climbed a cliff before," Jonathan answered.
"And I suppose you want to now?" Celia asked resignedly. He grinned at her and Mandie had to stifle a laugh at Celia's expression. She wondered at her friends' bantering curiously. Do they like each other? she speculated. In Europe, there had been a few times when she suspected as much, but now she was not so sure. Jonathan flirted with all girls, and Celia obviously still liked Robert.
"Look, there are even little caves and hollows and hidden cracks throughout," Jonathan coaxed.
"Well, go ahead, if you must," Celia said, throwing her hands up in mock despair.
"What? Don't you want to come with me, Celia?" Jonathan asked, grinning mischievously.
Celia wrinkled her nose at him, while Mandie, Joe, and Sallie laughed. "Certainly not," she said.
"Please," Jonathan wheedled, sticking his lip out.
Sallie smiled at him and interjected. "How about Celia and I come with you, while Mandie and Joe stay here? I do not think Mandie should be climbing any rocks."
Mandie shook her head and sat down. Her ankle was still feeling sore, and climbing around in the rocks certainly wouldn't help.
"See there," Jonathan said smugly to Celia. "At least someone wants to go with me."
"Oh, alright," Celia said, sighing. "As long as Sallie comes too."
"Onward, then!" announced Jonathan, bowing to Celia and Sallie. They both laughed, and followed him towards the rocks.
"How's your ankle?" Joe asked, sitting down next to her.
Mandie shrugged. "A little sore, but that's to be expected. I'm glad Jonathan didn't insist that we all go."
"He seems like he's having a good time," Joe said jokingly, watching Jonathan hop nimbly onto a rock, assuring Celia and Sallie in a loud voice that he was born for such daring achievements.
"Yes, he's—" Mandie looked indignantly at Joe, who had just placed his hand over her mouth.
"Shh!" he said, before removing his hand. Mandie stilled. What is it? She looked expectantly at Joe. He was staring off into the woods on their left.
"Did you hear that?" he asked in a whisper. Mandie shook her head.
"Listen," he said softly. She leaned forward and strained her ears. A faint rustle made her grip Joe's arm. Someone was there. Was it the same person that they had chased? Who could it be, she wondered. Whoever it was, they were obviously following them.
"Come on," Joe said, standing up and starting towards the noise. Mandie cast a hesitant glance back at the others. They were too far away to alert without yelling and scaring off whoever it was. Joe and I are quite capable of taking care of ourselves, she assured herself. We'll be back in no time.
She started after Joe, who was already disappearing back into the woods.