Charlottesville, VA – Past
Adam and Sissy walked along the small stream in the cherry orchard; their regular meeting place for the past month. Adam had completed his summer classes the week before, and the two had been meeting nearly every day since. He smiled when Sissy reached out and took his hand; her touch always sent his pulse racing. He loved her, he was sure of it now, more sure than he had ever been of anything before. She wasn’t the most stunning or brilliant, certainly not proud, in fact being almost a little too shy, but in every way that mattered to him she was . . .
“Beautiful,” he said, stopping and pulling her close.
“What?”
“I said, I think you’re just about the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
She smiled and tilted up her face for him to kiss her. When he pulled away, she lightly pushed his chest. “Just about the most beautiful woman?”
“Well,” he chuckled, “you rival a place right up there at the top.”
“Is she your mother?”
“She was.”
The two grew quiet again for a time; Adam lost in thoughts of the past. They came to a low hanging branch, and Sissy sat down, pulling a few cherries from the limb above her.
“You know,” Adam said, “I’ve told you all about my pa and brothers, but other than the fact that you have a cousin, I know nothing about your family. I still don’t even know where you live.”
The familiar cloud that always came over her features whenever he spoke of her family ascended.
“What is it?” he asked softly. “Why won’t you tell me about yourself?”
Sissy remained quiet, and Adam could see there was a war raging within her. Flashes of everything from despair to terror shone in her eyes. He took hold of both her hands and stepped closer.
“Tell me, Sissy. What are you so afraid of?”
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.