Page 18 of A Letter to Adaya
She took a deep breath before speaking. “I wonder what other delights we’ll find.” Her fists clenched tightly, and she could feel the heat of her anger in her cheeks as she surveyed the weed-filled dirt patch that was supposed to be their home. She felt a surge of frustration towards Papa for his reckless actions, putting both her and Walter in this precarious situation.
She wasn’t afraid of hard work, growing up watching her father pour his heart and soul into their home in Chicago. She knew she could do the same. Glancing over at Jesse, she studied his profile. He was very handsome and closer to her age than Beau. He turned to meet her gaze, and she gave a little smile before turning to look ahead.
She didn’t want to encourage something until she was sure of her choice.
As they approached the teetering cabin, she saw Walter and Beau standing by what was once a porch. Walter waved his arms animatedly, appearing to be explaining something. But Beau pointed his gaze directly at her, his eyes full of intensity despite the fading light. She felt a chill run up her spine as she met his glare.
He almost looked ...angry. She felt her cheeks flush and looked away, suddenly feeling self-conscious. There was something about Beau that made her heart race and her palms sweat. Adaya knew she needed to keep her focus on the task at hand. She couldn’t afford to get distracted, no matter how handsome Beau was. She tried to push her attraction to him to the back of her mind and looked back to where he was standing.
But he wasn’t there.
He had turned and was walking around the foundation with Walter, the two conversing quietly as they moved around the perimeter of the shack. As they got closer to the shack, Adaya could see that it was in even worse condition than she originally thought.
“Beau,” she called.
He glanced over his shoulder, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Take her home, Jesse.”
She wanted to shout and demand that Beau wait for her, but she could imagine the sound of his mocking laughter in her head. Her fists clenched tight as she felt Jesse pat her arm.
“I think they can figure it out. How about I escort you back home? I think Georgia is tired.”
Her eyes flicked over to Georgia and Simon, waiting patiently in the buggy. Her throat felt thick with unspoken words and sadness as Beau easily dismissed her.
“How will Walter get home?”
“He can ride my horse.”
Adaya nodded and climbed into the buggy, followed by Jesse. She remained quiet, staring at the landscape for the short ride back to the Pickett home. When they arrived back home, Georgia went to lie down, and Adaya disappeared into her room just before the first tears fell.
She let the tears flow, feeling the frustration and disappointment wash over her. She knew her father had always been impulsive and reckless, but she never imagined that it would lead them to this.Then there was Walter.He wasn’t getting any younger, and she needed to be strong for him.
Thank goodness she came to Flat River. He would never make do on his own. It was up to her to provide for him now, but it all seemed impossible with this rundown shack. Wiping away her tears, and taking a deep breath, she was determined to make the best of this situation. She couldn’t undo what had happened, but she could make sure that she and Walter would be all right.
When her tears had dried up, she stumbled over to the looking glass. Her skin was blotchy and red from crying, and strands of hair had come out of its pins. In a daze, she took down the extra pins one by one and shook out her long tresses. She grabbed a brush and brushed out the tangle of strands. Taking hold of three sections, she quickly wound them together in a tight braid, throwing it over one shoulder.
She wet a cloth and pressed it against her face, trying to cool down her fiery skin before she headed out.
As she emerged from her room, she saw Jesse sitting near the window in the main room, a book in his hand. He looked up as she walked into the room and gave her a small smile. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded, giving him a small smile of her own. “I will be,” she said. “Thank you for bringing me back.”
They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, Jesse lost in his book and Adaya lost in her thoughts.
“I came out here because I thought my father had a home already established,” Adaya said suddenly, breaking the silence. “I didn’t realize I was going to be starting from nothing.”
“Sometimes that is the best place to be.”
Adaya tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“It’s like fresh soil. The ground is new to you. You can plant what you want. It doesn’t matter what’s been there before. You can make it what you want. If you are starting from the ground up, this is your chance to do what you want with it.”
“Thank you, Jesse. I appreciate that. I don’t think we can do much before winter, but I can certainly get some plans together.”
Jesse put his nose back in his book, a small smile on his face. “I know you can do it. Talk to Beau. He’s the idea man.”
Adaya watched the young man read silently to himself. His lips moved as his fingers traced the words on the page.
Beau was an idea man.The thought of talking to him was terrifying, at the very least. He hadn’t done anything or said anything that would make her afraid. There was just something about him.
