Page 1 of A Letter to Adaya
Chapter One
Early September 1880, Flat River, Nebraska
“So, who do we think is next?”
The words were like a sharp slap across the face, and Beau Pickett tensed.
He gave his brother, Simon, a stern glance before picking up a pencil and spinning it around in his fingers.
It wasn’t an unreasonable question, not with the swiftness that Emily had been delivering brides to the brothers. Of the five Pickett brothers, only Beau and Jesse were unmarried, and neither was interested in being saddled with a bride.
Beau pointed the pencil at Simon. “I’d say that I’m not playing your game.”
Simon pushed his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose. “You know I’m right. It’s just the two of you, so who do we think it’s going to be?”
A deep chuckle reverberated from the corner. Beau narrowed his eyes, turning to look at his older brother. This whole situation was Bass’s fault, after all.
“Did you warn Emily that once the snow falls, travel becomes difficult? If not impossible?” Beau grumbled. “Or perhaps tell her that trying to find me a wife was a terrible idea?”
He had already had the discussion several times with his sweet sister-in-law, trying to find a resolution. Marriage was not on his list of desires. He didn’t want a wife; he wanted a herd of horses and the property next door, but Emily was determined to marry every single one of the Pickett brothers off. Next, she’d probably start marrying off the ranch hands.
The only brother in the family who had welcomed his wife with open arms was Nate, and Carolina hadn’t been in town long enough, so Beau couldn’t be sure they were truly happy. But Bass was happy with Emily, and Simon was less obnoxious now that he had Georgia and her sister Maddie to keep him busy.
Bass kicked his feet outward, letting them rest at the ankles. “Emily realizes this year is ending soon. She sent her last letters at the same time she sent the one to Carolina. I guess that was a month ago.”
“Sent the rest of her letters out?” Beau raised an eyebrow and pressed himself out of his chair, arms folding across his chest. “Exactly what does that mean, Bassett? How many letters?”
His brother didn’t move, not really, just a slight tilt of his head, which meant he was weighing his options. It also meant that whatever the answer was, Beau already knew he wouldn’t like it.
A light knock at the door disrupted their conversation. “Come in,” Simon called out, amusement dancing in his tone.
A blonde head popped around the door. Large blue eyes took a quick glance at the men sitting in the office, and she backed up, pulling the door closed as she stepped out of the room. “I didn’t realize you were having a meeting in here. I’ll just... I’ll come back later.”
“Emily?”
“Um, yes, Beau?” Her squeaky voice reminded him of a mouse. The door fell open, and he watched her nose twitch as she straightened her back, revealing a swollen belly, just showing with Bass’s child.
Beau stood and moved around the chair to look directly at his sister-in-law. “Are there any other women expected before the snow comes?” Beau tried to soften his words, but they still sounded harsh to his own ears. “You know we don’t get light snow around here. It is wet and heavy. Once it arrives, travel will become difficult.”
Emily blinked at him before shooting a look at her husband. Beau watched as her hands came up in a protective gesture and rested on her stomach.
Didn’t that just make him feel like a heel?
He took three steps back until his body was leaning against Simon’s desk. Bass was already up from his chair and across the room and placed his arm around Emily’s small shoulders.
“You’ve done it now.” Simon chucked his pencil in Beau’s direction, but it fell harmlessly onto the ground.
“It’s just a question, Em,” Beau mumbled. He knew she called himthe grumpy brother. They all did, and it was true, but that didn’t mean he didn’t care about things that affected his family.
“I sent three letters out when I sent a letter to Carolina. I received her response, of course, but I’ve not received any others.” She shook her shoulders, her blonde hair sliding against her dress fabric. “It’s possible.”
“Three? You sent out three letters? Who else are you planning to marry off, Emily?”
That was the wrong question.
He watched Emily straighten up and step out of Bass’s protective arms.
“There were three letters left, and if any of those women choose to come, we will welcome them with open arms. It’s not their fault that the matchmaker lost their letters, nor that Bass decided keeping them was the best course of action. They deserve to have a choice in their future. You will welcome them. Do I make myself clear?”
