Page 11 of A Letter to Adaya
Opening her satchel, she pulled out her writing parchment and contemplated her words. Fingers trailing over the descriptions that Mrs. Pickett painted of her two single brothers-in-law. She hadn’t included many details other than the difference in ages. If Adaya had to choose, she’d take an animal-loving husband over a social butterfly every day. Life was much simpler in a barn than at city hall or endless events. With that in mind, she focused on Mr. Beau Pickett and tried to think of a way to persuade him that the decade-long age difference between them was not as substantial as it seemed.
She picked up a pencil and scribbled out her thoughts.
Mr. Pickett,
My name is Adaya Breckenridge, and I am nearing twenty years of age. I have a fair amount of experience working with horses, cows, and goats. As for why I’m writing this letter, Mrs. Emily Pickett kindly contacted me after receiving my letter addressed to Mrs. Fischer, the matchmaker.
My father and I have just arrived in Flat River, and we are still setting up our house. I kindly ask that you visit me shortly after we have finished settling in.
Have you or one of your siblings recently gained several horses from Chicago? My father sold our herd and my favorite horse, Phileas, to someone named Pickett. I would love for you to consider letting me buy him back if your family has purchased him.
Mrs. Pickett has invited me to stay in your home, but my father assured me we have a cabin on our property, so I won’t be inconveniencing you.
Once we are fully settled, I’ll send another letter letting you know where you may visit.
Sincerely,
Miss Adaya Breckenridge
She folded the letter up and placed it in an envelope, writingAttention: Mr. Beau Picketton the front in graceful handwriting.
Surely, there would be a place in Flat River where she could leave this to be delivered to him. Closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer that her father was healthy and safe before letting her mind wander over what the future could hold. As she rested while waiting for her tea, she added to her prayer.
Dear Lord, please let at least one of the Pickett brothers find me acceptable for marriage.
Thwack!
Beau winced as the screen door echoed with a loud bang.
He didn’t want to disturb Aunt Cleo if she was sleeping. They were all so dedicated to supporting her and helping her regain her strength. Even though he was not in favor of the idea of arranged marriages, he had to admit that each of the wives had provided brilliant advice and help for this woman they regarded as a mother.
Even Carolina had shared about the paddle fans the hospitals were using back east. That was something they had never heard about until she brought it up. It was decided to install one of the paddle fans in the small guest room behind Simon’s office.
Beau hesitated to let Aunt Cleo move to the smaller room, but when someone mentioned the possibility of higher humidity in her room due to too much light, she jumped at the prospect of a windowless space. She insisted they put any future window on the north-facing wall. Bass was planning to add the window in the spring, as none of them were keen on cutting into the side of the house with winter approaching.
Atsksounded through the main room, and his eyes locked on the older woman in her rocker, heat rising in the back of his neck.
“I apologize, Aunt Cleo,” he said, moving further into the room.
“Perhaps you should apologize to the door, my boy. It seems to be the one you’re taking your frustrations out on.” His aunt clucked her tongue accusingly. “What has gotten you so upset?”
The reverberating sound had served its purpose. Simon emerged from his office, and Emily and Georgia watched him as they waited in the kitchen doorway. Jesse stood on the stairs leading up to the second floor. Beau coughed gently before waving a piece of paper he had in his hand.
He prayed the entire way home that the paper in his hand was about Jesse, not him.
“Is everything alright?” Simon pushed his glasses up on his nose.
“Another one of Emily’s strays is arriving,” he said with a frown. “Today.”
Emily took a few steps forward into the room, her forehead creasing as she approached him. “What do you mean by one of my strays?” Confusion filled her eyes as her brows furrowed. Beau thrust the paper at her, and Jesse barreled down the stairs two at a time. Emily skimmed the wire while he stared at her, his patience wearing thin.
“Emily?” he barked, tired of waiting. The wire wasn’t that long. She was clearly stalling. Simon and Jesse straightened up, ready to intervene with expressions warning him that his tone was harsher than he intended. Beau ran a hand down his face and turned back to his sister-in-law.
“You received this when you were in town this morning, and you left?” With a shriek, she finally turned her attention to him, displaying obvious displeasure on her face.
Beau rubbed the back of his neck. When she put it that way, he sounded like a monster, but what would she have him do? Load the girl, her companion, and luggage on the back of Fogg?
“I—.”
