October 1, 1783

Williamsburg, Virginia

I hate making apple butter. The thought had barely crossed the mind of eighteen year old Felicity Merriman before her sister burst in.

"Mother! Lissie!" Polly Merriman hurried into the kitchen, scattering the apples she had been sent to get. "It's Ben! He's back!"

"Polly," Mother reprimanded. "Ben's not due to arrive for another week. And just look at what you've done to the apples!"

"I'm sorry, Mother, but really it is Ben, I'm sure of it!"

"You don't remember him, Polly." Felicity spoke up. "You were too young when he left to join the militia."

"But it is him! He'll be coming around the corner in only a minute." Polly insisted.

"Polly, enough." Mother spoke sharply to her youngest. "Now, go get another bushel of apples please."

Polly sighed. "Yes, Mother."

"And what took you so long to get this bushel?" Mother inquired as an afterthought.

"I got distracted. I'm sorry."

"All right then. Hurry this time though."

"Yes, Mother."

Felicity winked at Polly as the girl ran back outside. She had noticed her sister sitting on the roof more than once, but she hadn't had the heart to tell their mother. She couldn't help but think how much Polly was like her at that age.

As Polly hurried back out of the steamy kitchen, Felicity watched her through the window. A movement farther away caught her eye.

"Mother!" Felicity gasped.

"What is it, Lissie?"

Felicity didn't answer. She was too far away to hear the question. She was all ready out of the kitchen, and running across the yard.

"Lissie?" Nan stood in the kitchen doorway and called after her.

She paid them all no mind as she ran towards the horse and rider. They met halfway across the yard, and rider drew the horse up beside her.

"Good afternoon, Mistress Merriman." The smiling rider tipped his hat towards her in greeting.

He dismounted in one swift move, his dancing eyes always on her.

"I am no one's mistress, thank you." Felicity replied hotly, walking beside the familiar soldier as he headed towards the barn.

"I see. Have you yet to mend your boyish ways?"

"I don't intend to any more than I all ready have."

"You mean to tell me you've changed? You were running like a hooligan just now. I don't see that as a change."

"I have changed! You startled me is all."

"I sent Polly ahead to tell you I was coming. Didn't she?"

"Yes, of course. She didn't say that you had sent her, though. We blew her off I'm afraid."

"Ah." Ben, for it was in fact he, put his horse in an empty stall and removed his horse's saddle, an air of laughter about him.

"What is so funny?" Felicity asked her old friend, coming into the stall and removing the horse's bridle.

"Well, you say you've changed, but what are you doing just now?"

"Helping you."

"With a horse?"

"I have changed, Ben, really. All of us have. Nan is fourteen, now and taking lessons at Miss Manderly's. William is eleven. He helps Father in the store all the time when not at school. He's at the store right now, as a matter of fact. Polly, you saw Polly. She's seven, now. She's a lot like me at that age. I think the idea frightens Mother and Father. I'm rambling. I'll stop."

"Oh, no, I like to hear the sound of your voice after it being absent so long. You've changed too, you know."

"I've been trying to convince you of that!"

Ben took a step back, glancing her over before his eyes settled back on her face. "You don't have to convince me. That's pretty clear."

Felicity blushed, looking at the ground. "Polly is probably waiting for you to make your grand appearance." She remarked.

Ben cleared his throat. "Yes, of course. Are you going to come with me or hide on the roof to keep from having to make apple butter?" A smile pulled at his lips.

"Benjamin Davidson!" She snapped. "I was doing my fair share quite contently" Almost contently anyway. "Until you came along and upset the entire day!"

Ben laughed as they started for the kitchen together. "Felicity Merriman content in a kitchen? I'll believe it when I see it."

This will be a multi-chapter, but I'm not sure how long it'll take me. It may be hit and miss as I figure out how to get it to where I want it. Please review!