15.

“Richie! Jon! You gotta see this!” She moved back to Richie’s side smiling. “It’s just the funniest odd thing.”

Richie turned as she walked up and smiled. “What’s that Darlin’?”

She pointed to the end of the hall. “That painting, it’s almost like it’s you. There was a woman there and she just, well vanished, oh heck just come see.”

Richie chuckled, “People don’t vanish Linds.”

Jon snorted, “Maybe she saw a ghost.” He shrugged and lifted his shoulders in a shrug as Richie gave him an exasperated look. “What? IT IS Halloween. Supposed to be seeing them right?”

“Frank, you’re hopeless you know that?”

Jon grinned as they walked towards the portrait. “Yeah that’s why you stuck around so long my man, cuz I’m hopeless.”

“Ahhh shaddup asshole.”

They stopped in front of the portrait and both men studied it a moment and in tandem laughed, “I don’t see the likeness.”

Lind’s rolled her eyes, laughed then thwapped each one on the shoulder gently. “Sheesh, its like your identical twins, from when you were younger.”

Jon smiled a bit and nodded. “Ok, I’ll grant you it looks like a bit like me when I was younger.”

She leaned in to read the small plaque attached, “Geeze, even the names. That’s Stephen and Francois Ferry circa 1862.” She studied the small framed document on the table. “Seems they were twin brothers; sons of the owners back then, both fought in the civil war on opposite sides and died. Wow how sad.” She glanced over at Richie. Wonder which one is Stephen and which one is Francois? I mean you’re a Stephen too.”

Richie shook his head at the familiarity. “Bet the tall good looking one is Stephen. Bet the short squirt is Francois.”

Jon lifted a middle finger at his friend.

Lind’s turned back to the portrait. “Francois is French for Francis and didn’t you say Jon’s middle name was…”

Richie nodded. “Yeah, that’s why the squirt has to be Francois. It’s a short name.”

Jon shook his head. “And you called me hopeless.”

~~

Before they had time to settle in it seemed they were back downstairs and preparing for a tour of the grounds. As they exited, She lifted her head and inhaled the southern air that seemed steeped in the scent of magnolias and jasmine. “Now that I could get used to.”

Richie smiled as he laced his fingers through hers and listened to the guide as she described the day to day life of a southern plantation. Only his Linds would get lost in the scent of the place instead of the history.

She wandered along paying half attention to how they made soap in the big pot, how each person had a set defined area to take care of, just enjoying the mild fall day and the man beside her, but as they turned to head to the slave houses she her eyes caught the barest glimpse of a lady heading down a small path leading to the back of the plantation.

Letting the group get ahead of her she turned and started off. It looked like the lady from earlier and she wanted to find out how she’d disappeared. Stepping up the pace, quietly cursing the volumes of skirts at her heels she headed towards the woman. “Hey, excuse me, Can I speak to you a moment?”

The woman ignored her or maybe she hadn’t heard. Linds scurried to catch her, intent on attaining the elusive woman and befriending her. As she caught up, she reached out, placing a gentle hand on the woman’s shoulder. ‘Excuse me.” As the woman turned, Linds couldn’t help but smile at the sweet expression on her face.

“Well there you are. I declare, you are one quick filly getting lost like that.” Josephine smiled at the girl and put an arm around her shoulders. “He’s been looking for you all afternoon.”

Lind’s brow arched as the woman guided her back to the front of the house. It had only been five minutes. Richie couldn’t be looking for her THAT hard. She heard the soft “There ya are Darlin’ I’ve been looking ya.” She grinned as his whiskey soft voice washed over her, an instant smile creeping onto her lips, until she looked up.

And there standing before her in all his glory, was a very young looking Richie Sambora. “Rich?” She watched as brown eyes blinked then widened and a worried look crossed over handsome features.

“Darlin’ did you get too much sun? Summer’s here, well its not like the summers in Georgia.”

He watched her back up a step, as fear bloomed in those lovely blue eyes he adored. He’d been lost from the first moment he’d met her at the cotillion, months ago. “Now Liv Darlin’ don’t go getting shy on me now. We’re to be wed you don’t have to act so shy.’

Wed? Shy? What the hell? Who was this guy who looked so much like her Richie? “Look, I don’t get what’s going on, but I don’t like this joke, Richie and Jon wont like it either.” She watched the confusion gathering in the brown eyes and began to wonder exactly what was going on.

He stepped closer to his fiancée and smiled, “You don’t have to make up names to keep old Stephen in control pretty Liv. Already gave my heart to you ya know.” He studied her and wondered what had her so frightened. His Liv was not a shrinking violet. Usually.

She looked behind her, hoping to see the tour group, and saw nothing but grass. Turning back to the man she shook her head. “Just humor me. What’s your name?”

His eyes widened at the question, before he started to smile. She was playing a game, she liked games. “Name is Stephen Darlin, Stephen Ferry.” He glanced up as his brother walked from the front door, “And in case ya didn’t know, that short squirt there is my brother Francois.”

She closed her eyes at the sound of it. He sounded like Richie, coulda been him years ago, but it wasn’t HER Richie. Jesus she’d fallen down Alice’s Rabbit hole. She’d went to Wonderland, only hers looked like the south. Now if the White Rabbit would just show up the party would be complete.