As a reminder: I do not own the any of the characters! Exception: John Cole but, he is still based off of Valerie Tripp's wonderful books!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for my Grandma. I hope you enjoy this next chapter it is in Elisabeth's POV.

Today was one of my lazy days. I sat on the couch sewing my sampler aimlessly. I had just undone a row of stitches and drowned myself with another cup of coffee. Mother was gone visiting and Father was busy in his study. Felicity spent all her time at the store and Peter was busy with his apprenticeship.

After setting aside my sampler I decided to go visit Felicity at the mercantile. Upon grabbing my bonnet I heard a loud knock on the door. Who is it at this hour?
"Uh, hello!" I chimed out as I opened the door. There stood Ben. Ben? "Your the last person I expected to see today. Would you like to come in?"
Ben glanced this way then that before replying, "If you don't mind."
I laughed and pulled the door open wider, "Don't be silly. Come on in. I'm afraid Mother and Father are out if you wanted to see them."
"No," Ben said following me into the sitting room, "I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Me? Very well. Care for some coffee?" I asked.
"Since when did you stop serving tea?" Ben asked.
"We still do but only because Father works with loyalists. I started drinking coffee about a year ago. Felicity is very persuasive," I responded with a warm laugh, "So, care for some coffee?"
"Aye, thank you," Ben said sitting down on the couch.
I rang for the maid and then asked if she could bring a fresh pot of coffee. I grabbed two tea cups from the table and set them before us. We were silent until the pot of coffee came. I poured the coffee into our cups and then asked, "Care for any milk or sugar?"
"Milk, please," came the request.
I poured the milk then helped myself to a bit too. I sat down and asked, "What was it you wanted to talk about?"
Ben twirled his spoon around in his cup for an excessive amount of time before saying, "Tis amazing how close knit you and Felicity are still."
"Aye," I started enthusiastically, "She is wonderful friend and since we overcame our differences we have stuck to each other's sides through thick and thin."
Ben smiled. It was then I noticed he changed a bit. He looked much more stronger built, his hair had grown thicker, and perhaps a bit longer.
"I'm glad you two have each other." Ben stated almost blankly.
I could tell he was trying to ask me something about our friendship so I prompted him saying, "It's nice to have a girl to confide in about girl matters." I hope I said the right thing, he seems nervous already.
"Right," he said. He took a sip of his coffee and asked, "Has she ever said where she keeps her personal belongings?"
"Personal belongings?" I squeaked in confusion.
"Aye," he said shifting in his seat. When I said nothing he continued, "Like her fan... Um, writing supplies?"
"Her fan Ben?" I asked with a giggle.
"More like her writing supplies." Ben responded with a serious tone.
"Oh. Well, lets eliminate where it can't be." I paused then continue with a comical look, "Not in the kitchen. Living room is an option but Felicity is more careful with her paper and quill. Not in the dining room." I noticed Ben's expression and tension lighten slightly. "Nursery is a big no and so is the garden shed. Ever consider her room, Mr. Davidson?" I asked slyly.
I felt like I knocked down the uncomfortable wall in between us because Ben laughed at my list of possibilities before saying, "I thought of that and-" He stopped but his twinkle in his eye didn't diminish.
"And what?" I questioned without hesitation while warming my hands on my cup.
"Look, don't tell her or any one," I nodded as he paused for confirmation, "I looked in her room and found it."
"It as in the writing box?" I said.
Ben nodded slowly.
"The one you made me go on and on about?" I asked in a playful tone.
"Aye, guilty as charged," Ben muttered slightly before taking a sip of his coffee.
I took a sip of my coffee as my brain was trying to figure out what was going on inside his. He is here to discuss Felicity for sure. But sidetracking me about her writing box which in the end he confesses he snuck into her room ago find it. Writing... Felicity... Writing...
My mind settled down and I said, "You do know that I know how you and Felicity felt for each other." Seeing Ben cringe as I said the word "felt" I added, "I'm sorry, I know you still feel something for Felicity. Is that why your here?" I asked my voice shrinking slightly as I asked the question.
"I suppose," Ben said.
"Be open with me Ben! I can't help you if I don't know what is going on in that brain if yours." I pleaded.
"Tis just that John apprentice is gaining Felicity's affections- or so it seems." Ben said avoiding direct eye contact.
"Listen, John admires her but you love her. Am I correct?" I asked catching his wavering glance.
"Aye," Ben said, "But I'm passionate about going back to the service as well. Just as before. Look, once I joined the troops I couldn't wait to come back to Felicity. Now that I'm back I want her but my patriot spirit is burning ever more inside me. Maybe tis better if..." He faded.
"No ifs or buts Ben." I said more firmly than I intended. Now this conversation is going somewhere. "Look, I know you. Maybe not as well as Felicity did- does but you were thinking of something earlier. The writing box. What were you thinking?"
Ben returned my question with a question, "Did Felicity keep a journal?"
"Aye," I replied my eyes communicating that I wished he would continue.
"I wanted to bring some memories back to her attention. Maybe the ones with her and I... You girls write about things like that. Right?" He asked with a look of hesitation.
"Aye, we unload the frustrating moments to each other and then the special times into our journals. I admire your idea." I said before lapsing into thought. Felicity kept a journal. I think she kept it in her room but Felicity would have already devoured it if she had found it. Maybe she brought it with her riding. She would have put it in her saddle bag... Or she brought it into one of her favorite spots. Favorite spots... By Penny... The garden... No... In the loft!

Ben had lapsed into thought and I broke him out of it with the conclusions of my thoughts, "Aye! Her journal Ben! It would have recollections of you I'm sure! Perchance it is in Penny's saddle bags or the loft. In the barn, you know. She always goes up there to think. Look for it as if it is your last hope." It pretty much is since you didn't move sooner, I added mentally.
"Yes Mam'," Ben joked.
"Excuse me?" I playfully retorted.
The look of playfulness died in his brown eyes and he said, "But, Elisabeth. I'm leaving for with the army again in two to three weeks. Do you think-"
I cut him off, "That gives you less time to do your work. If you get Felicity back to her feelings she will stick to your side through thick and thin. War or no war."
"Peter is a lucky man to have you," Ben complemented.
"Thank you," I said with a blush, "I'm lucky to have him. Now go! The clock is ticking!"
Ben stood and we walked to the door, "Thank you! Maybe I can give the journal to you so, you can select the passages that Felicity would look at?"
Doubt that will happen. "Whatever you think is best. I'll do my best to help you and Felicity. Remember saddlebag or in the loft. "
With another "Thank you," he left.

I wandered into my bedroom and glanced out the window. Seeing Ben jogging up the street towards the Meriman's house made me smile. "They are meant for each other. It will work out," I said to myself. My gaze shifted to the end of my bed. Felicity's sampler. I picked it up and spread it out on my desk. I admired the tight red, white, and blue stitches. Tis nearly complete! Just the gold flag pole and... I picked up my stub of a pencil and lightly sketched the words, Ben Davidson in cursive on the bottom of the sampler.

Ben POV

I felt like flying as I sped towards the Meriman's house. My heart was so full of hope! At first I was nervous about talking to Elisabeth but once she broke the barrier well- I'm very glad I talked to her.

Upon reaching the house I went to my room and gathered my belongings. It all fit into my bag. Swinging the bag onto my back I jogged towards the barn.

Once on the loft I sat down on my new bed. The bed sat in the same old spot and so did the barrel that served as a nightstand. I sat for a moment before descending the ladder. I casually glanced this way and that before making my way to Penny's stall.
"Hey Penny girl " I said, "I haven't seen much of you lately. How are you doing?"
Penny nickered softly as my eyes left the beautiful thoroughbred to comb the tack for her saddlebag. I found it near under the bridle. I walked over to it and laid my hand on top of the bridle. I continued to chat as I worked, "Looks like we are going to be bunk buddies again."
Penny snorted and stomped. I lifted the bridle to the nearest tack hook before replying, "Nay, they didn't kick me out. I'm leaving in a few weeks so I don't want to be pampered rotten."
I glanced this way then that. Then I stuck my right hand into the saddlebag. A ribbon. Horse brush? Ah, Yes! Paper! I gave up on trying to be secretive and lifted the flap and stared in. I was right there was a hair ribbon, a curry comb, a folded sheet of paper, and a hoof pick. Thank goodness I didn't stab myself on that! I picked up the paper as and unfolded it. I read:

Dear Felicity,

I hope this letter find you and your family I good health. I have stayed with my recruiting commander to train his latest additions. I confess that I wanted to leave with the other men I trained with to join Washington's army but seeing the new group of men ready to fight for the cause of freedom made me stay. So far, I don't regret it. The men are wonderful and I have met my first real friend. His name is Riley. He is my age and has blonde hair.

I'm glad things are going fine at the mercantile without me. I miss you and your family. Your mother's wonderful meals too! Lissie, I'm so glad you decided to join the Patriot ladies sewing group. The men truly appreciate everything you are doing for them back at home. I'm running out paper so I must conclude this letter. Lissie, I'll be looking at the moon tonight thinking of you.

Yours truly,
Ben

I smiled to myself as I replaced the letter. Penny whined as I set the bridle back in its place. "Alright girl, I'm going already," I joked as I climbed the ladder to the loft.
I sat down on the cot and eyed any possible places for keeping a journal. Piles of baled hay took up most of the barn. With another burst of energy I fell to work scanning the hay bales.

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