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Felicity POV

That night supper went nice enough. We avoided each other despite the urge to get together and sort things out. Ben explained his day to the family and my Father congratulated him a bit too excessively for my taste. I knew Ben couldn't stay forever but, somehow I was used to this normal.

I didn't join in the conversation until Father and Ben were in the parlor. I happened to walk through when Father was talking about me. As I paused to catch what he was saying he took the opportunity to ask me to join them. I chose to sit on the same couch as Ben but as far as possible from him. That way I didn't have to look straight across at him.
"Any way... I was saying I believe that was the very same camp Felicity took a tumble at." Father said," Yes, the very same. The commander. Middle aged man. Slightly big. And oh! Brown hair."
I smiled slightly as Father moved his arms to demonstrate each description. I stole a side ways glance and found Ben grinning at Father.
Ben sat up and said, "And callously hands?"
"Yes, has a fierce grip that man. Has to be the same." Father declared.
"Does he have blonde hair and a gold watch?" I asked looking at my Father.
"Nay, brown hair. But, oh. You are thinking of the training man. Good man. Met him first being that he was the head of the division that you invaded." Father said with a chuckle. "How do you know him?"
Not to be disrespectful I answered politely, "After I left the Carpenters I found my way to that camp. I actually met two other men too," I glanced in Ben's direction.
"What did they do?" Father said sitting up straighter.
"Oh, nothing. I bumped into Ben on the way out. They came out on their rounds and one was tall named Jack the other Simon." I said raising my eyebrows without looking at Ben.
"Yes. Simon is the commander's assistant but, also his brother." Father said to himself but, loud enough for both of us to hear. "Anyway, nice man."
"All are when a Father comes to rescue his daughter that just fell from her horse." Ben joked.
Father chuckled but, I didn't.
"If you excuse me- I wish to see to Mother," I said and made my exit after a nod from Father's direction.

The week passed like this. I spent the majority of my time at Elisabeth's or at the Mercantile. I never bothered to take Ben to the side and sort things out. Little did I know time would sort this out.

Monday afternoon I spotted Elisabeth talking to Ben in our years. I was starting supper but as the bread was rising my attention was focused only on them talking outside. It drove me up the walls not being able to hear them and it drove me almost to insanity when Nan joined them. Thankfully she broke up the party and Elisabeth followed her inside and Ben took off to the barn. I glanced down and saw a huge loaf of bread beneath the cheese cloth. I slipped it over the fire and stared at the orange and red flames. I couldn't put together what exactly they could even talk about to each other. But, I left it at that and I took the bread out.

I made my way out to the barn to check on Independence and Penny. I mucked out Penny's stall and feed her an apple. Ben was above in the loft and came down I was just about to leave.
"Felicity?" He asked.
I noted his arm instantly. His left arm was no longer in his sling. It was just bandaged. How I missed that while watching Elisabeth and him talk earlier beat me but, I was probably preoccupied trying to think of what they were talking about. Suddenly the puzzle pieces clicked and I wasn't curious anymore.
"Your arm! Congratulations!" I said.
"Thank you." Ben said waving it carefully.
"Don't over do it. So that means your going back to the camp?" I asked knowing the answer.
"Well, yes. I was thinking tomorrow." Ben said.
"I'll come with you. Father can too. William and John can watch the store. I deserve to thank them now that I'm more clear." I said motioning to my head.
"Well..." He started.
"Why not!" I exclaimed.
"Never said no. Man, your impatient." Ben said.
"I'm not!" I said, "At least I will ask Father. He will let me."
"Wow, spoiled," Ben muttered.
"Pardon?" I asked my voice raising an octave.
"Nothing. Go ahead go ask your Father for your way." Ben said crossing his arms.
With a sigh I turned on my heel and left the barn. I hated the idea of Ben thinking I was a spoiled brat but, I wanted to be there more than anything. I could spend my time at the store and John was good company but, I preferred the militia.

Upon entering the kitchen I found Nan being instructed by Mother to buy some salt at the store.
"I'll fetch some for you," I offered.
"That's very kind Lizzie but, I asked Nan to." Mother explained handing her two pence.
I sighed inwardly and knew my double motives were slightly wrong.
"Tell John I said 'Hello'," I said turning to the pot over the fire. "What are we eating tonight may I ask?"
Mother turned to me and said calmly, "Rabbit stew."
"Rabbit?" I asked a bit too loudly.
"Quiet dear. We can't have Polly knowing," She warned leaning over the pot.
"Where did we get the... meat?" I asked.
"Ben and William have been setting up traps since last week," Mother said while stirring the pot of rabbit stew.

If it wasn't for the friction between us I surely would have known about these traps. I grabbed the bowls and headed to set the table. Supper was uneventful and the "Dark" meat was tasty. It was understood that Father was to give Ben a ride to the camp and I was to man the store with William. John, of course, was to go with as well.

I was just going to have to suck it up and take care of the store.

The next day came soon enough. After some porridge Father, Ben, William, and I left for the Mercantile. I swept the back room while Father, Ben, and John fell to work loading the wagon. As I swept the floor I grumbled inwardly. My pity party lasted for a few minutes before I told myself, Felicity. You are nearly 15 years old. Pull yourself together and stop acting like a baby.

I moved on to the fabrics and William took care of the counter. Father darted into the store and said, "Now, I'm leaving the store in both of your hands. You know what to do. We will be back say in the afternoon."
He gave me a glance that said no funny business and then he disappeared.

It was quiet enough to hear the clip clop of horses fade as they trudged down the street. I busied myself straightening up the items on various shelves while William looked at today's orders. Glancing over my shoulder I noted there wasn't that many. Three if I counted right. He paused at one and set it to the side before glancing up. He caught my stare and smiled. I smiled quickly and returned to fiddling with the candlesticks.

The store was dead for the next hour and all I heard was the scratching of the feather pen as William tracked inventory. I was dead bored so when William told me to look after the desk I quickly swung myself up and into the stool. My head found its way on my arms and I closed my eyes. I glanced at the clock. The hands declared it was 12:45.
William appeared out of no where and startled me when he said, "Too tired to even look what's next to you?"
My heart skipped a beat as I spun my head to see who was talking. "Sorry, no what is it." I glanced about me.
William came to my right side and pulled out an order form, "Paid in full. You can deliver it if you want."
I scanned the page and read the hastily written note:

Order Number: 345
Name: Melissa Carpenter
Address: Check in Account Book
Order: 2 pounds flour and small sack of sugar.

"The Carpenters need 2 pounds of flour and a small sack of what?" I asked.
William looked over my shoulder before replying, "Sugar."
I heard a tone in his voice and knew it meant he was thinking about something. Instantly my own mind wheels were turning.
He wants me to deliver this. He wants me to be near the camp because I didn't get to go! Very thoughtful. But, the way I ran out! I felt my pinks grow warm. I'll have to apologize. It is the right thing to do.
"Lissie? Are you going to run this errand," William interrupted my rushing thoughts.
"Um, the flour sacks?" I said blankly looking for an excuse.
"Didn't you run a 3 pound bag of oats the other day?" He continued.
"The whole town heard about that," I muttered.
"Pardon?" He asked.
"Nothing," I said playing with the sheet of paper that contains the order.
"Okay. Are you worried the sugar might tip the scale?" William asked while filing two bags with flour.
"Do you want me out of the store?" I asked jumping off the stool to get the sugar.
"No... But it written all over your face Lissie where you want to be. Listen- I know I'm your younger brother- but, really don't get us into trouble by snooping around. Deal?"
"Deal. Thanks." I said grabbing the flour bags. I snuck 3 pieces of candy out of the jar when William turned to dust off the counter. I slipped two in the sugar bag and one in my pocket. With a "Bye!" I exited the store.

The ten minute walk wasn't that bad. I resorted to putting on my bonnet since the sun seemed to beat down in an un-normal fury for this time of the day. Upon reaching their house I shook my self once as if it could make my mind more coherent. I gave the door a loud knock.
No response.
I called out in a sweet voice, "Ms. Carpenter!"
No response.
I called out once more. This time a bit louder, "Ms. Carpenter!"
I heard a voice calling me to the barn. I pushed the door open and set the sugar down before taking off to the barn. Williamina and her sister stood by their horses. Ms. Carpenter was washing them down.
"Hello! I have your order from the Mercantile." I said setting the bags of flour a good deal away from the dirty water.
"Thank you!" Ms. Carpenter said.
"The sugar is inside your doorway. I slipped the girls something in there and I didn't want the horses to get it first." I explained slightly distracted by the horse Williamina was trying to hold still.
"Aren't you a dear. Will you be a dear again and help Williamina contain the horse?" She asked taking a soapy brush and scrubbing as if life depended on it.
"Of course, sorry about the other week." I said holding the halter and petting its nose.
"Don't worry. It's understandable." She said coming around to do the other side.
I looked at Williamina and she said, "Your mother told me what happened. Don't worry, we didn't tell anyone else."
I whispered, "As long as I don't get turned into a charity case, I'm okay."
We shared a giggle before I spotted Charlotte holding a brown mare off to the side. It's brown coat glimmered under the sun and it was apparent the horse had just been washed.
"Hi Charlotte!" I called out to her with a wave.
She returned the wave but before she could say anything all of a sudden a man came flying out of no where and jumped onto the horse. The horse neighed and reared knocking Charlotte to the ground. Williamina rushed to her sister's side and helped her to her feet. She escorted her towards the house while Ms. Carpenter shot off after the horse. Ms. Carpenter screamed bloody murder as she disappeared into the puff of dust. The horse I was holding started to act up so I led it in a tight circle. As I pulled it into another right circle something caught my eye.

A gold object.I darted down and grabbed it. Before anyone else could see I slipped it into my pocket. My hand brushed the peppermint stick that I had forgotten and I broke it in two. I offered one half to the horse since it settled down.

Suddenly to men came stumbling across the field followed by another. I dropped my hand as I looked who it was. John followed by Ben ran past me before stopping.

"Felicity?" They asked at the same time.

"Yes?" I asked with a smile.

"Where did he go?" asked John.

"Took off with one of the Carpenter's horses. Ms. Carpenter took after them screaming bloo- things at them." I explained.

Ben took off again but, didn't go far. Ms. Carpenter was walking back towards me. Her head lowered slightly with each step she took.

"I'm so sorry Mam. We will catch him," Ben reassured.

She answered only with a sigh and a nod clearly exhausted from her run.

"May I tie the horse up? I can wash him for you." I offered.

"You can send them to the barn. Don't worry about washing them," She paused and looked at John, "Thank you."

I led the horse into a stall and fed him the peppermint stick. As I fetched the other horse that was still tethered to the washing pole John came up to me.

"Felicity?" He asked. I turned my head toward him while fiddling with the knot. "I would feel bad if I didn't walk home with you. Being that the person on the horse saw you and all."

"Thanks for being concerned. I should be fine though." I replied turning the horse toward the barn.

Ms. Carpenter who was talking to Ben turned when I said this, "Felicity, dear, it would relieve me if he went with you."

I glanced over my shoulder and looked at her face. My eyes shifted over to Ben and he didn't seem affected at all so I replied, "Very well, Thank you."

After I tied up the horse and checked to see if Charlotte was okay I took John's offered arm and we started back to the store. I glanced behind my shoulder to see Ben disappear into the field.

As always I love when you review and shoot your ideas over or tell me what you think will happen next! Yes, that includes non-fanfiction members! I have the next chapter formulated in my mind so it shall be soon. Maybe John's POV?! Thanks For reading!