Rated PG-13 (Violence and Thematic Elements)
Word Count – 30,501
Summary – Told in jigsaw puzzle fashion, follow Adam Cartwright as pieces from the past eventually come together to form his future in this story of love, courage, and sacrifice.
Vandem House – Past
Long grass, soft and yielding, created an unsteady cover for the two young girls lying hidden.
“Meg, I’m scared.”
Meg turned, loose ringlets sliding along her pale features. She reached across the damp ground, entwining her fingers with those of her cousin.
The two girls scooted closer together, each drawing strength from the other’s presence. Not a sound could be heard. He never shouted. His speech was always low, controlled, cold. Then it came, much closer than they had anticipated.
“Margaret, Cecily, come out—Now.”
Cecily began to tremble, and large tears slid down her cheeks. Meg squeezed her hand, quietly bringing a finger to her lips.
“I won’t repeat my warning.”
The children froze at the sound of his voice less than a dozen feet away. Then, an irritated sigh.
“Very well. Gabe,” he called, and hurried footfall could be heard coming from the other direction.
“Yes, suh.”
“Bring out the dogs.”
Cecily brought her hand to her mouth too late as she cried out. A moment later, he stood before them. The girls slowly shifted to their knees, clinging tightly to each other. Meg forced her eyes up to meet his—there would be no mercy. Cecily continued to cry.
“Gabe,” he said again.
“You’ll not be needin’ the dogs now, Massah?”
“No.” The silence was chilling. Finally, he reached for Meg. “Take Cecily up to her room. Lock the door. Margaret will be coming with me.”
Meg began to sob, her crying exceeded only by Cecily’s screams as Gabe picked up the smaller girl and carried her toward the large white house.
“You shouldn’t have tried to hide,” he said to Meg, digging his fingers into her tender flesh. “I told you never to hide.”
“No, Daddy . . . please . . . please, I’m sorry . . .”
Bahj,
This is simply exquisite. It is heartwarming, poignant, and
full of hope and promise. If you decide to write a sequel, I would love to read it even though my favorite character is LJ.
This was a great story. So intense. LotG of pain and grief and a nice ending. I was Glad Sissy and Meg got back together in the end. Good always conquers over evil in the end. Thanks
This story touched my heart, and you wove it seamlessly into the tapestry that is the Cartwright family. A beautiful story of love and redemption, disappointed hopes and hearts torn and broken, only to be mended again by unbreakable love and devotion.
Beautiful.
What a wonderful, multi-layered absolutely gorgeous story. It moved me to tears more than once. Thank you for this. 🙂
Bahj, I read this magnificent story last night and was moved to tears at least a couple of times. The art of accurately portraying our favorite character, Adam Cartwright, is tricky to say the least but you have passed the test with your colors flying!!! I particularly enjoyed the fact that when he found out about Sissy’s past that he showed his great love by marrying her on the spot, without hesitation. I could feel the sweet love emanating from them both throughout the story and also I loved the fact that Meg had filled Tag’s ears with the truth about his long lost parents. That part was so pleasant to read when he met them for the first time! Tag behaved as I feel Adam would have at 15, calm and easy going without that exploding anger that Little Joe always seemed to have festering toward Adam when Little Joe is that age.
Suffice as to say, I desperately want a sequel(s)!! I’ll be checking on your author category for new stories you post, thank you so much for your talent!!!!!
This was a different story in it’s order of things, but it was very good, and I loved the ending when Adam finally found Sissy and everything turned out alright for the cousins and those two, It was wonderful that Meg’s cousin took the baby, THANK YOU
This is such a beautiful story of fear and faith. I would love to have a peek at their lives a year down the road… just sayin’. Thank you, bahj.
Bahj, absolutely beautiful, heart wrenching, faith restoring…
I’d love to read of a continuation.