Lisa's POV:

            Mother's blue eyes stared back at me from the picture on the my nightstand. No mater how hard I tried, I couldn't remember my mother, but it had often been remarked that I looked like her. I sighed, giving up in my wonderings of who my mother had been and pushed myself out of bed. Groaning, I glanced out the window as the first light of dawn broke the sky. I must check on Papa. He was frightfully feverish last night.

I quickly dressed and pulled my long blonde tresses into a neat chignon at the back of my head. Blank blue eyes stared back at me from my vanity mirror as I dropped my hands for a moment. Will life ever be joyful? I don't know. Papa needs you. Hurry. I pulled a strand of loose hair behind my ear and hastened across the hall to Papa's room.

Squinting my eyes in the dim light, I made my way over to the window of our house's master bedroom and pulled the curtains apart, letting the sunrise stream in.

"Good morning, Papa." I whispered softly, coming over to his bedside.

"Morning, Lisa." Papa whispered, his voice full of veiled pain.

"I need to change your bandage, Papa." I reminded him, drawing the blankets away from his arm and lifting it into the light.

Blood had seeped through the cloth, making a dark red stain. I grimaced at the sight, but bit back my disgust and began removing the bandage. Papa winced as I carefully unwrapped the cloth from his strong arm. God please help me not to hurt him. My eyebrows creased. I folded the cloth as much as I dared, trying not to jerk away from the touch of blood and set it on Papa's nightstand.

I took the fresh bandage, which I had put on the nightstand yesterday, and wrapped it tightly over Papa's wound, pushing the sight of it to the back of my mind to keep myself from puking. Tis' a miracle I haven't puked from changing this yet. I glanced at Papa's face, finding his eyes closed and perspiration dripping down the sides of his face. I do hope the wound hasn't been infected! Oh, but why would he be suffering so if it weren't? I must call Doctor Hanson!

Hurrying downstairs with the gross bandage, I threw it into the fire and washed my hands furiously. I put some soup broth into a small pot and set it on the stove. After I stoked the stove, I unlocked the front door and ran down the street toward the doctor's office.

Dear God, please let him be in his office! Approaching the small white building I clambered up the steps, holding my skirt as high as I dared, and rapped the door with my fist. I took a few deep breaths in order to stop my panting before knocking again.

"Doctor!" I yelled, "doctor!"

"Lisa?" I voice called from behind me.

I turned, finding a schoolhouse friend, Jeremiah Hanson, riding up to the stairs of the doctor's office.

"Aye!" I answered, coming down the steps to meet him, "do you know where Doctor Hanson is?"

"At home; he sent me to open the office this morning." Jeremiah's brown eyes filled with worry, "is it your papa?"

"Aye." I confirmed, "please get your father. And hurry!"

"I will!" He assured me, spinning his horse around and urging it into a gallop.

I pressed my hand against my lips as began I walking home swiftly. God, please, don't let it be anything serious.... Sophine! She t'would know what to do. I hastened my pace and began my way across the village green and past the well in the center of it, toward the Liston's home.

After hastily climbing the stairs, I pounded my knuckles against the front door. Please be awake, please be awake, please be awake... Relief flooded over me as I heard footsteps approaching the door form the far side.

"Lisa, what is it?" Isaiah asked, swinging the door open.

Ignoring the fact that he was only dressed in a nightgown, I pushed past him into the house, "I need Sophine; is she awake yet?"

"Aye, she's in the kitchen." Isaiah answered, alertness catching in his voice, "what's happened?"

"I think Papa's wound could be infected." I shot over my shoulder as I entered the kitchen, finding Sophine dishing out porridge into three bowls on the table.

"Infected? Did you change the bandage properly?" Sophine questioned, setting down the spoon and pot.

"Aye, before bed and once again this morning, but his fever tisn't letting up." I explained hastily, searching Sophine's eyes for hope, but couldn't tell anything from her expression.

"I'll have a look." She assured me, going into the hall and passing Isaiah, "you and Samuel eat breakfast; I should be back soon."

I met Isaiah's concerned gaze briefly as I hurried after Sophine. God please don't take Papa from me too! Lisa, calm yourself down! Biting back a whimper, I made my way across the village green and into our house just after Sophine.

I burst through Papa's bedroom door and watched Sophine's expression as she laid a hand on Papa's brow. She's always been able to hide her feelings from me when she thinks it's to protect me. And I'm always running to her for help, so why should she think I can handle these things? I must grow up. More. I took a deep breath and stepped closer to the bed, glancing from Papa's sleeping face to Sophine's guarded one.

"We'll just have to wait for Doctor Hanson to arrive." Sophine spoke, sitting in the rocking chair in the corner of the room.

"It'll be around a half an hour; weren't you going to open the store today?" I asked, cautiously.

"Aye, but this is more pressing." She answered, turning her gaze to Papa.

She's giving up re-opening the store to stay with Papa and I. But she shouldn't! But I don't want to be alone here! Lisa! You aught to be ashamed of yourself. Do you want to be dependent on Sophine your whole life? Doctor Hanson will be here soon. I swiped a stray hair out of my face and straightened my shoulders.

"Nay, you aught to go help your brothers. We'll be fine; Doctor Hanson is on his way." I urged Sophine, meeting her confused eyes.

"But you asked for my help, Lisa, I can't just leave. I want your papa to be alright too." She insisted, standing up.

"I know." I whispered. What am I supposed to say now? "But we'll be alright and you need to get to the store."

Sophine studied me a moment, seeming to debate with herself. Then she silently nodded and squeezed my shoulder on her way out.

"Be sure to call immediately if you need anything." She commanded, leaving the room.

A few moments later I heard the back door open and close. God, please help Doctor Hanson to hurry. Amen. I prayed silently as I eased into the rocking chair and began tapping the floor lightly to make the chair sway.

Sophine's POV:

Memories of a few nights ago when Mr. Johnson and I had come back from Concord flashed through my mind as I passed through the stable. I halted for a second and felt an unknown pang hit my heartstrings as his grey eyes overwhelmed my thoughts. Oh, God, is Bray-Mr.Johnson alright?  Don't think about it. You've more pressing problems at hand. Oh, why'd I have to take the back door?

Narrowing my eyes, I tucked a strand of loose hair back into my chignon and hurried out of the stable and onto the village green. Why'd Lisa insist on my going back to help my brothers? She wanted my help, then decided against it? But she's somehow called for Doctor Hanson; he should be there soon. Perhaps she only ran to me because she was scared. Dear Lord, please give her courage and please heal Mr. Kings!

I darted up the steps to our porch and hurried through the door, hearing Samuel and Isaiah talking quietly in the kitchen. Hurry and eat and then open the store.

"I'm back." I announced quietly, entering the kitchen and sitting in my chair.

Scooping the porridge into my mouth in quick, small bites, I hastily finished my breakfast while Isaiah and Samuel cleaned up the few dishes and began opening the store.

"I'll wash the dishes tonight." I protested as Isaiah began heating water.

He hesitated a moment before retracing his steps and putting the kettle away. I smiled.

We had re-opened the store only forty-five minutes ago and we had already had several customers. Hopefully we're serving up to Father's standards. I shut the cash register as the most recent customer left the store, causing the chime above the door to strike a pretty tune.

"Isaiah, do you and Samuel have everything here under control?" Sophine asked, coming from the fabric aisle, apparently finished her last minute re-organizing.

I nodded, avoiding her eyes. I don't want her to how I feel about Lisa or Father's death and if she has time to watch me for very long, she'll figure it out; she always does.

"Then I'll go check in on Lisa and Mr. Kings." She decided.

I felt her gaze on my face for a few seconds before she seemed to give up, turn on her heel and walk out through the front, half-glass door, causing the chime to jingle again. Gritting my teeth, I began to fiddle with the pencil by the clip board, which we would use to record credit, on the counter in front of me. You're the man of the house now, stop wanting to give into these emotions. You have to provide for Sophine and Samuel, despite how much Sophine thinks it's her responsibility, tisn't.

"Good morning to you, Isaiah." A woman greeted as she entered the store, interrupting my thoughts.

I glanced up, seeing Mrs. Benson from the garden club.

"A good morning to you as well, ma'am." I returned, moving from my relaxed position leaning against the counter, "how can I help you today?"

"Only a small bag of candy for the club meeting tomorrow morning." She replied, coming up to the counter and setting her tiny purse on it.

"Of course, ma'am." I took a small paper bag from the stack next to the candy jars, "sour or sweet this time?"

"Why not a little of both?" Mrs. Benson suggested, glancing around the room, "you seem to be doing a fine job keeping everything going."

"Aye, Father made sure to have good clients at the docks in Boston and Sophine knows her way around business quiet well." I assured her, hoping the remark didn't mean she would take the majority of her business elsewhere.

"Ah, where is Sophine, by the way? I was hoping to have a word with her." The black haired woman asked, curiosity playing in her eyes.

"She ought to return soon; feel free to take a seat in the parlor if you'd like to wait for her." I offered, gesturing to the door in the back of the shop that led to our parlor.

She smiled gratefully, "I don't mind if I do, thank-you kindly."

I nodded, giving her the small bag of sweet and sour candies. She placed a two pence on the counter and scooped up the paper bag on her way to the door. After watching her go through the door and leaving it agape, I returned to fiddling with my pencil. I hope Mr. Kings is on the road to recovery or Lisa twill' be devastated, not to mention what a bad mood it'll put Sophine in. She'll likely not have any patience for Mrs. Benson. My eyes watered slightly. God, please don't let Mr. Kings' infection be too serious. If you take him from Lisa, I don't know what she'd do!

"I've finished re-setting the mouse traps." Samuel announced triumphantly as he marched out of the storage room and joined me at the counter.

"You threw away the dead ones?" I asked in confirmation.

"Aye." He replied, motioning out back, "I burned them in a small bonfire-and before you say anything, I put the fire out."

I nodded, beginning to doddle on the corner of the top paper on the clip board, "Mrs. Benson is waiting for Sophine in the parlor. Do you think we should serve tea?"

"Where's Sophine?"

"Kings'."

"Aye, tis only polite." Samuel decided after a moment's thought, "I'll take care of it."

I watched silently as Samuel hurried to strike up a conversation with the older woman and start water in the kettle. A small smile grew on my face as I heard them hold a rapid conversation about this, that and the other thing.

A few minutes later, Reverend Wilson caused another chime to ring through the store as he came in.

"A good morning to you, Reverend." I greeted, straightening from my leaning position against the counter.

"And good morning to you as well, Isaiah." The light haired reverend replied, "I've come to order a sac of flour; can you have that sent over by this afternoon?"

"Certainly." I assured him, nodding, "I'll deliver it as soon as I'm relieved from the counter."

Reverend Wilson studied me kindly, "and how are you, Isaiah?"

"Well as can be expected." I replied hoarsely, swallowing the tears that rose in my throat.

I mustn't cry. I clenched my fist around the pencil. Reverend Wilson nodded, something flashing through his eyes.

"Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask my wife and I." He told me.

"Of course, Reverend." I answered, hoping he'd leave.

"Then I'll be on my way." The young reverend sighed, walking toward the door.

I leaned against the counter, going back to my doodling. The chime tingled. I let out a pent up breath and let Samuel and Mrs. Benson's conversation to filter into my thoughts.  

HEY EVERYONE!  I HOPE YOUR ENJOYING THE STORY THUS FAR!  LET ME KNOW IF YOU NOTICE ANYTHING OUT OF PLACE.  I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH ISAIAH'S FEELINGS, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE THERE, IT'D BE APPRECIATED!:)  THANKS AGAIN FOR READING AND IF YOU ENJOYED, PLEASE DO CONSIDER VOTING:)