"Leave where tonight?"

Both girls froze and waited for the full force of the storm. Cammie turned around in, and then exhaled a breathy chuckle.

"Goodness Bex, you scared me!" She cracked a small smile at Bex who remained unmoved, simply putting down the basket of laundry in her hands and folding her arms.

"Oh, by the way, this is Anjeanette Goode. Captain Goode's sister." Cammie smiled and introduced Anjeanette to Bex. The young girl just stared wide eyed at Bex before dropping into a slight curtsy.

Bex's eyes widened and she dropped into a low curtsy before setting her attention on Cammie.

"Leaving where tonight?" she repeated, her tone low and impatient.

Cammie's smile froze and she paused a minute to regain herself. "Oh nothing," she said, smiling at Bex while tightening her grip on Anjeanette's shoulders. "I had just promised Anjeanette that I would take her out to the town, just to get a breath of fresh air, and to see some of the South our little town can offer.

Bex cocked an eyebrow and nodded. "Alright," she said. "But you do realize that you're father has forbidden you from leaving the estate at night? Especially without an escort?" She huffed and bent down to pick up the laundry. "Or did you forget Cameron, that we are at war right now?"

That said she turned around and left the room, the door shutting with a soft click behind her.

Cammie's smile fell from her face and she sank to the bed. "She's right, Anjeanette. There is absolutely no way that we can leave tonight. We need supplies, and transportation and... and..." she trailed off, with a miserable look on her face.

Anjeanette turned and sat on the bed next to Cammie and placed on arm around her shoulders. "I know it's going to be difficult Cammie. It's never easy to run away. But we have to leave tonight, otherwise tomorrow morning you'll end up married to Josh Abrahams and that will mean the end of it." Anjeanette tightened her grip around Cammie's shoulders and smiled.

Cammie smiled weakly. "That's great Anjeanette, and I know how important this is. I do love Zach. I want to marry him. But how am I supposed to do that if I'm being held in this house all day? In case you've forgotten, I'm supposed to be getting married tomorrow. I doubt anyone would let me out of the house alone during the day, let alone at night."

Anjeanette grinned, a devious, mischievous, young grin. "We can just take my carriage," she said. "And then… leave."

Cammie then mirrored her grin. "Fine. Well then, Miss Goode. I suggest we pack our bags now."

Later that evening, the whole family assembled for the last family dinner. All was silent except for the occasional clink of silver or glassware.

Finally, Cammie spoke up and broke the silence. "Father, would it be alright if I take Miss Goode on a tour of the estate after dinner?"

Her father frowned at her over the rim of his glass. "Cammie, you know how I feel about young ladies roaming around after night. Especially in these times, you know how-"

"Yes, father, I know how unsafe it can be." Cammie sighed. "But it's only going to be a tour of the estate. I won't go past Morgan land, and I'll even take a servant out with me!"

"Oh really, and who would that be?" Her father asked, putting his mug down and staring at her with judging eyes.

"Bex!" Her father's eyebrows shot up and he began to object?

"Rebecca? No, absolutely not! It's not that I don't trust her, but she's another female. And you'll get plenty of time to talk to Bex after your marriage. She's coming with you, don't you remember? To Josh's house?"

"I know that Father, but really! It's my LAST night as an unmarried woman. Can't you at least give me that much? I'm just asking for one last tour of my childhood home before I'm forced to leave it forever!"

She didn't need to force that catch in her throat.

Her father stared at her before returning his gaze to his plate. "Fine. This last one thing." He got up heavily and walked past her chair dropping a kiss to her head. "I'm so glad that you were able to achieve this happiness Cameron," he said. "Your mother would have wanted your happiness." With those final words, he left the girls.

Once they finished dinner, Anjeanette and Cammie walked to the cellar where they had stored the few essentials they needed. Clothes, money, the like.

In Cammie's traveling bag she carried a few sentimental items. Her mother's diamond brooch, a miniature family portrait, and a hair clip her father had given her, the design comprised of many green and blue stones.

The pair hurried to Anjeanette's coach where they had left Bex waiting. They threw their things into the coach and Anjeanette climbed in. Cammie grabbed Bex's hands and looked at her with pleading eyes. "Are you sure you can't come with us Bex," she asked.

Bex smiled sadly, and slid her hands out of Cammie's grip. She hugged her briefly and smoothed some hair away before taking a step back. "You know I can't Cammie. There will be too many stories, and there has to be someone to handle it all here." Her eyes watered and she sighed and looked at her feet before looking back up again. "Go on Miss Morgan, Go find your Northern War hero. And when you become Mrs. Goode, don't forget old Bexy who did Miss Morgan's hair since young, alright?"

Tears had been running down Cammie's face unabashedly at that point and she grabbed Bex and hugged her tightly. "Oh Bex," she sobbed. "How could I ever forget you?" She sighed and let go. "Oh, please try and get free! Find your husband and your little girl! And then come and find me! And if you can't-get free that is- stay here. I'll come back for you when this war is over, alright Bex?"

With those final words, Cammie climbed into the coach, and closed the door. Slowly the coach began its rapid journey.

Cammie turned and looked out the window at Morgan Estate, the home she had grown up in for 16 years. She looked at Bex, her very best friend, who was watching the carriage roll away. She let the curtain fall with a sigh and then turned to look at little Anjeanette, who would have to help her on this long journey. Anjeanette offered her a little smile, to which Cammie could only smile slightly. It probably looked like a grimace more than anything. Then she returned her attention to the window, watching the familiarity of her childhood fly past.

Cammie jerked awake, startled by the wheel of the carriage hitting a pot hole. They had left Roseville along time ago, and were probably at the very edge of the Confederacy. She looked over at Anjeanette, who was sleeping peacefully and gracefully, her head leaning against the wall of the carriage and her breath coming his slow pulls.

Cammie examined the small girl, who looked nothing like her brother. Then she thought of Zach, with his messy brown hair, his determination, his leadership skills, his mischievous grin and finally his shockingly green eyes.

She settled back down to go to sleep.

I'm coming to you Zach. Just wait for me. Maybe you were right. Maybe true love can survive a civil war.