Page 29 of A Letter to Adaya
His sister-in-law grinned. “That he is,” she laughed as she breezed out of the room.
Bass found he quite liked his new sister-in-law after spending some time with her. He approved of the way she didn’t shy away from holding Nate accountable for his words. He admired that it hadn’t taken her long to see there was an underserved population in town, or to stand up for what she believed in. It made him wonder what being married to Adaya would be like. Would she be willing to argue for what she believed in, or bend to his will as Emily did with Bass?
Depending on whether they confirmed his suspicions today, he might never find out. He remembered all too clearly the sight of the lifeless saloon girl they’d discovered this morning, in the room of the man he thought was Adaya’s father.
There was a second man being held, who refused to give his name. It was determined that he was going to be hung for his crimes. Sam and Whitney didn’t even want to wait for the judge. The sheriff was angry enough that he was prepared to throw the weight of his office behind his decision and deal with the consequences later.
The town hadn’t had a hanging in years. Even with that threat over him, the man was stoic. He refused to talk, but the snitch next to him sang like a canary in hopes it would save his own hide. The man named Amos blurted out all the details about the girl from Chicago, her hair as dark as night, who was part of their payment for stealing the horses.
Beau would have broken the man’s jaw before the marshal got a grip on him. He wasn’t going to allow any of these miscreants to get anywhere near his Adaya unless it was to pass her on their way to the cemetery. Beau’s temper was embarrassing, even for him. What he wanted now was the touch of a small, soft hand in his and the levelheaded woman at his side.
If her world shattered, he’d build her a new one.
That was why he asked Ranger to go fetch her from the ranch.
After shaving and struggling into a slightly tight shirt, Beau made his way to the kitchen, where he discovered a steaming cup of coffee and a stack of stationery, just as Carolina had assured him. Taking a sip of the bitter brew, he formed his thoughts before he started writing.
Dear Miss Breckenridge,
Thank you for your recent thoughtfulness.
The food helped keep me focused and relaxed, or maybe it was because I thought of you the entire time I ate. I think I’ve done a decent job dealing with the situation. These past couple of days have been difficult, and I yearn for your gentle smile in the morning or the quiet companionship you’ve offered to me since your arrival.
I fear there are more challenges ahead of us, even now, as you are on your way to my side. I cannot tell you how they will shake out. If you are willing, I will accompany you into the unknown.
As I reflect on the letter you wrote to me, it is my turn to be as honest with my feelings as you were with yours. I did not intend to marry, as I was focused on my future. My intentions were to buy the property next door to my family ranch, build a cabin and have horses to create a business venture outside of what Bass does, and still benear my family.
Imagine my surprise that the property is the one your family owns. The cabin is much like the one we are building now. My horses were once your horses.
Aunt Cleo says that things always happen in God’s time. She calls it divine interference. I saw it happen with Bass, when he intended for Emily to marry Simon, but ended up marrying her instead. I’ll have to tell you that story one day so that I can see your eyes light up and hear your laughter.
Again, I saw it happen when Georgia and Madison arrived and won Simon over. I honestly thought Georgia and Nate would marry. Most recently, Nate took over Doc Mueller’s practice and Emily somehow found a nurse who wanted a husband in that pile of letters.
I lack the eloquence to express it in flowery terms, but I would appreciate the opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation about this. My intentions have changed, and I’m very open to getting married now, raising horses together and living out our days in that cabin we are building. If you agree, we could take the horses out for a ride to ensure we won’t be interrupted.
However, if you’ve set your sights on Jesse, I promise to understand and not be too grumpy.
I’m yours if you will have me.
Beau
He was folding the letter when Nate appeared at the top of the stairs. His knowing eyes were not missing a thing, as Beau scrawled her name across the front.
“You’re writing her letters?” Nate asked.
“To be fair, she wrote the first one to me.”
“You like her.” Nate settled in the chair across from him. “I never thought I’d see such a thing.”
“I might even love her.” He crinkled his nose a bit, but the words felt right in his mouth. His brother let out a deafening roar of laughter, as if he’d just heard the funniest joke ever. Beau’s face flushed as Nate continued to bellow in laughter, not seeming to understand why the whole thing was so funny.
Nate bowed his head, muttering an apology. He waved a hand, as if to brush away the regret, and then pulled in a deep, shuddering breath.
Beau’s brow creased with annoyance, “Are you done?”
Nate shook his head, the doubt still heavy on his tongue, as he lifted a fist in the air. “You don’t believe in coincidences. We ended up with her letter.” He uncurled a finger. Beau felt himself nod, almost as if he could see where this was going. “You bought her horses, not knowing they were hers.” A second finger.
“Technically her father’s,” Beau corrected.
