Okay so Im really sorry this has taken so long guys. Thank you for all still reading and not giving up on me. Dont worry I havent forgotten! As always reviews are great! I love comments good or bad (NO REALLY!) Thanks for reading

I do not own Liberty's Kids or any characters

Sarah threw open the barn door to find James standing next to the large cart, ready to be fixed to Ceaser. He was looking more dressed up then usual, and she wondered if he had actually put effort into his appearance for the sake of her outing. It seemed very unlike him, but then again James hadn't really been himself lately.

"Im almost done with the cart, should be ready in a moment Sarah. Where is...who ever he is?" James asked, clearly trying to sound casual and pleasant as he lifted the cart up and tried to slip the pole into Ceaser's straps. Sarah ran over to help him, picking up the other half of the cart.

"He's just behind me. Oh and James he's so-" But Sarah was cut off from her description of Ericson, as he opened up the barn door and walked in.

"Miss Phillips!" He shouted, causing Sarah to jump and drop the pole she was holding.

"Woah!" Yelled James automatically as he stumbled to keep the cart up. He looked up at Sarah trying to figure out what had happened, and saw her looking startled and confused.

"What are you doing Miss Phillips?!" Ericson stated firmly as he strode over to the cart. As he did this it became clear to James that Sarah was no going to be picking up her half soon, so he put down his as well and looked up. Ericson looked like the epitome of a British gentleman to James. He was tall, thin, clean-cut, and had that ever so slight snoodyness that James associated with all British people. He was sure Sarah was practically in love with him already.

"I was helping James hitch up the cart. Oh where are my manners? Master Ericson, this is James Hiller. James this is Master Ericson. He's from England." Sarah said smiling to herself. James snorted and she thought she heard him mutter something under his breath along the lines of 'yeah couldnt tell that!' Sarah didnt care though. She was excited for her outing and was sure that James couldnt do anything to ruin it.

James stuck out his hand to shake with Ericson, though he barely looked at the greasy hand before looking back to Sarah and saying in a reprimanding voice "You should have waited for me to help Mr. Hiller. It is highly unladylike of you to be wrestling with a horse and cart like some ruffian." James was shocked. What a demanding and forward thing to say to Sarah. Maybe to some girls in England with their frilly dresses and tea cups, but Sarah? He couldnt wait to see what she responded to him with a remark like that! But to James' shock Sarah said nothing. She walked out of the way allowing Ericson to help James put the cart on the horse. As James looked at her he saw her blush and still look a little confused, but she didnt seem angry. What was special about this guy that he wasnt hit over the head for comments the way James was. The whole interaction made James like the man even less than he had. He also noted that as they put the cart on, he was doing much much more of the work than Ericson was. Oh well he figured, he said he would be silent and nice, all he had to do was drive.

"Well" Sarah said sternly to the two men as they finished putting on the cart. "Shall we be off then?" James nodded and hopped up to the front, picking up the reigns. As he turned around he saw Sarah being helped up to the cart by Master Ericson. James had gotten a small bench and a blanket which he put in the back instead of the hay, and Sarah sat on the bench with the blanket near her feet as Ericson hoisted himself up. With a crack of the whip they were off, and Sarah couldnt help but smile.

"Where will we be going?" Ericson asked James as they pulled out of the barn.

"Im not sure. Wherever you guys would like to go. What would you like Sarah? Tell me what you want."

Sarah smiled. She knew it was taking a lot for James to be so kind and she loved that he was asking her where they should go. "Well have you been here before?" She asked turning to Ericson.

"No never. I guess you should give me a full tour. Yes that sounds excellent." Ericson said quickly, and with that James eased Cesar forward and the cart was off, going down the Philadelphia streets. Soon the two forgot James was there and simply talked to each other. Sarah found that Ericson was easy to talk to. He was highly articulate, something Sarah always valued. As they moved along the streets Sarah pointed out various landmarks and sites to Ericson.

"And that's where we went to interview the soldiers when they came through. You can still see small pieces of their encampment." Sarah said pointing to a blank field as they passed.

"You interviewed the rebels?" Ericson asked. He sounded rather startled and intrigued as he looked closely at the camp site. "I do hope you had others with you. Wouldnt want you in a rebel encampment all alone. Horrible things could happen." Sarah shook her head quickly. "James was with me as well. We were writing the story together, for the paper."

"For the paper?" Ericson said, sounding a little confused. Then all at once he remembered. "Oh thats right. The news paper shop. I didnt know you wrote for them. Do you often? Well isnt that cute." Sarah giggled and the conversation soon moved to talking about the Ericson family estate.

James had tried to hard not to be listening to their conversations. When things had gotten too silent he braved a look to the back to be sure everything was staying civil, (though who was he kidding these two were the mascots for proper behavior) and then he tried to ignore everything else. However he had not been succeeding and somehow the statement that Sarah's writing was "cute" bothered him. He rarely liked to compliment Sarah on her writing, but she was a real writer. She was a reporter, not just some girl with a hobby and a pen that the newspaper was indulging. Still James kept quiet as he kept hearing about the many buildings, fields and horses that encompassed the Ericson estate and pulled Cesar back to the news paper.

As they pulled into the barn Sarah turned to Ericson smiling "Well sir,thank you so much for a delightful afternoon. It was quite a pleasure." He helped her down from the cart and as he did he kissed her hand, smiled and cooed "The pleasure was all mine Miss Phillips. Shall I see you again?" James was looking over Ceaser to see the pair and watched Sarah nod emphatically. Ericson dropped her hand, strode over to James "Well thank you for driving Mr. Hiller. It was very kind of you."

"No problem." James said with a smile as Ericson turned to go. James couldnt tell what it was about the man. He was kind and friendly, but James couldnt shake the pure British feeling of him. He was sure that Sarah would be simply in love with him, after all he was all she ever wanted.

-Thanks for reading!-