Chapter One: 1861

The sky was a brilliant blue, with no clouds to be found. The temperature was quite cold, but Elouise Myer stood tall and unflinching in a thin short sleeved black dress.

The tombstone staring back at her was unmoving, the fresh soil mocking her. "Oh, grandmother." She whispered, hugging a small cloth to her chest. It had been her grandmothers, along with the dress she wore that was much to big. Elouise didn't own a belt, so she scrunched the waist and tied it with an old ribbon.

"I'm sorry for your loss." A voice said.

Elouise spun around, eyes falling on a woman. She was older, with curly blonde hair. She looked familiar, but Elouise had never got her name.

"My grandmother. Ms Mabel Parker."

"Oh, I know Mabel." The woman frowned, eyes landing on the gray stone. "I wasn't aware that she passed away."

Elouise must've made a face as the woman stuck her hand out, "Mrs March. But please, call me Marmee."

"I'm Elouise." She gave a small smile, attempting to be as polite as she could. "Elouise Myer."

Mrs March moved next to her, grabbing a ahold of her other hand. "I don't mean to be rude but I wasn't aware that Ms Mabel had any family."

"Not here. She left our small town in Canada to travel the world, settled here it seems."

"Are you here for only a short time?"

"I shall be staying for another month or two. Both me and Grandmother have the same dream of traveling the world, I just hope she follows me along the journey." Elouise sighed, "Mr Markle owns a small hotel central of the city, he's offered me a discount price as a mourning gift, I suppose."

Mrs March made a face, "What happened to her home?"

"That little shed?" Elouise gave a chuckle, "I love her very much but I prefer not to stay there any longer than I must. Along with the roof caved in, I don't believe it is very livable."

The woman gazed up at the sky, taking a deep breath of fresh air. "Come stay at the March household. I have four girls, and they are around your age. They would love it."

"Oh, I'm not sure." Elouise said. She didn't want to intrude on a family, not when she was a stranger. "I don't want to—"

"Nonsense! We will make room, I promise you."

"Are you sure, Mrs March? That's awfully kind of you."

"I insist." The woman smiled, "Though, I will leave you to say your goodbyes. I will tell one of my girls to fetch you at your grandmothers house. I'm sure you need to collect your belongings, caved roof and all."

Elouise bid farewell as Mrs March turned and continued on her way. She watched the woman disappear over the hill, wondering suddenly why she decided to stop and speak to a girl standing in a cemetery.

"I love you deeply." Elouise nodded at her grandmothers grave, "I will carry you in my heart wherever the winds shall take me."

She slowly made her way from the cemetery, the breeze blowing her long hair behind her. Elouise hurried down the bustling streets, finding herself entering the nearest bakery. She didn't have much on her, or really at all, but she did have enough for a small loaf of bread. Elouise couldn't show up to stay with the March's without a thank you gift, even if it was only a loaf of bread.

She picked out a loaf and brought it to the counter, placing it gently on the surface.

"Take it." The elderly man told her, "Ms Mabel used to shop here quite a bit. I'm sorry about your loss."

Elouise pursed her lips, "Are you sure? H-how did you hear of my grandmothers passing?"

"This is a small town, Miss Myer. Word gets around." He pushed the bread towards her, "I'll mention you in our prayers tonight."

She scooped up the bread, taking that as a farewell. She gave a small wave as she scurried back out of the store and towards her grandmothers house.

The little shed was located by the river, just outside of town. It took Elouise over thirty minutes to reach it by foot, a raggedy old thing it was. She had no idea how her grandmother lived in a place like this, it certainly did not feel warm or welcoming.

It was a single room, a makeshift stove built in the corner with a single mattress and a pile of blankets. Elouise's belongings were placed by the front door, away from the opposite corner where the roof had fallen in.

The girl had two bags, one a decent size paired with a small purse like one. She kept a total of two dresses, only owned one pair of boots and in her purse she kept a hairbrush, some oils and other small items.

"Hello?"

Elouise spun to face the door, which was blowing open in the sudden wind. A woman stood on the other side, peeking in with a curious expression.

"Are you of the March household?"

"One of them."

Elouise collected her two bags with one hand, balancing the loaf of bread in the other as stepped out into the daylight again.

"That was awfully quick."

The woman made a face, "I've been walking for a life time. I wouldn't call that quick."

"Would you mind holding this? It's for your family, as a thank you gift for letting me stay."

"Bread?"

Elouise frowned, "I don't have much. That's why I'm incredibly grateful for your Marmee."

There was hesitation, before the woman took it and held in her slim hands. Her wavy blonde hair was bunched up at the back, she looked very much like her mother.

"I'm Elouise." Elouise said as they began walking, "If you haven't been told yet."

"Jo." The woman told her, "You'll hate it at our house, you know."

Elouise brows furrowed, "I'm sure that won't be the case."

"No, no. You will. You see, there's five of us in a small house, six if you include Hannah and seven with my father. Meg is the oldest, also like Amy who feels the need to be the perfect lady at all times. Beth is the second youngest, she's a gem. Amazing at piano, a very talented young woman. Hannah helps around the house and my father is away at war."

Elouise watched her feet as they walked, unsure of what to say. Normally other women Elouise met were very proper, always standing straight and speaking clearly. She always tried to be like them, to blend in. But Jo was nothing like any of those girls, she seemed strong and didn't care of what girls were supposed to do. She was very boyish, and it made Elouise smile.

"What about you?"

Jo turned and raised her brow, "Pardon?"

"You don't seem like your sisters Meg or Amy, but I haven't met them yet so I cannot debate any further. I do like your grit, Jo Marsh." Elouise glanced at the girl, "I will be honest, I do try to act like a proper lady, as you say your Meg is. It's only because it seems that's the only way us women can get anywhere in this world, obeying and staying by a man's side. If I don't try, I can hear my grandmothers voice giving me grief."

"I don't believe in any of that. A woman is more than just a wife, she's her own person who can do whatever she pleases. I don't plan to marry at all. I plan to run away and row my own canoe as I don't need anybody but myself and my family."

Elouise smiled, "I plan to travel the world. Alone or with a man, who knows. But if so with a man, they must listen to me. I shall run the show, not them. I will not live in a kitchen nor have no voice. I find I'm very loud when I need to be."

They fell into silence, the only noise coming from trees that danced in the breeze. Elouise focused her attention ahead, spotting a few small homes they were approaching.

"I think I may just like you." Jo sighed, "This wasn't apart of my plan."

"And what is your plan?"

Jo made another face, "We should hurry along, Mother's making dinner. If we take this short cut we'll arrive in time. Come along."