Mistaken Devotion

Chapter 1

Virginia, 1839

"Do you think it's going to rain again tomorrow?"

Alicia looked down at her nine year old sister and then up at the sky as they worked together to pull the bucket of water up out of the well. "I don't know, but it looks like it might."

Emily sighed. "I'm so tired of rain."

"Well we aught to be thankful for it. Without it, the crops wouldn't grow and we'd have to move back east."

"I know." Emily said. "And I am. It's just.....well, it's so boring, being cooped up in the house all day."

"I know how you feel," Alicia replied. "But I'm sure summer will be here in no time and then, when it's incredibly hot out, you'll be wondering if it will ever rain."

"I will not! I'll just go cool off in the creek."

"Yes, well in the meantime, would you mind helping me with the water? It's nearly your bedtime and I don't want you staying up late again like you did last night."

"When are Ma and Pa coming home?"

"They should be here on the train tomorrow. Grandma's funeral was yesterday, remember? I told you last night."

"I miss them."

"I do too. Now, let's get this water inside and then you can dress for bed."

"Can't I at least finish my book before I go to sleep?"

"No. You said you'd only read one chapter last night and you read four. You'd be up until midnight if I let you do that again. Ma said you needed to be in bed at eight o'clock, which you haven't done once since they left."

"Yes, but I've done all my chores."

"Yes you have. But you still need some sleep. Off with you."

Emily sighed dramatically and carried her bucket of water towards the house, sloshing half of it on the ground as she walked.

Alicia filled the barrel on the back porch before following her sister inside and dressing for bed herself. "Goodnight, Em." She said.

Emily mumbled something as she trudged down the hallway to her room, and Alicia went to bed.

Opening one eye, Alicia looked around the room. Something had woken her up, but as she strained to listen, all was quiet. A glance towards the window let her know that it was still too early to get up and she laid her head back down on the soft pillow.

Then she heard the noise again and realized that someone was knocking on the front door.

Wondering who could be calling at such an hour, she threw back the covers and pulled on her robe. She crept down the hallway and stumbled down the stairs, feeling around for the doorknob. "Marshall Palmer?" she was surprised to see him standing on her porch so early in the morning. "What can I do for you?"

"Miss Morrow, I'm sorry to have to bother you at such an hour," he said, clearing his throat, "but I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"Bad news about what?"

"I'm afraid there's been an accident. The train that your parents were on was derailed and......well, Miss Morrow, they didn't make it."

"What do you mean, 'they didn't make it'?" she asked. "So they'll be home later than expected?"

"I'm afraid not." He shook his head somberly. "I'm afraid they've been killed."

"No," she shook her head. "It can't be!"