Page 38 of A Letter to Adaya
“Was he gone often?”
“Yes. He traveled quite a bit. I don’t know what he did. If I’m honest, I never really thought about it. The Robert Breckenridge I know isn’t a horse thief or a murderer. I certainly can’t think that he’d orchestrate my kidnapping.”
“I couldn’t find Carolina’s jam.” He put a slice of buttered bread and a small pot of tea on the table before sitting down himself, cradling a hot mug of coffee. “It’s hard to think of our parents as anything but the people we love. Try to remember him from that place of love.”
She took a bite of the bread, savoring the rich taste of the freshly churned butter. “So, what do we do now?”
Beau leaned back in his chair; his arms crossed over his chest. “We head back to the ranch. The trial will be this afternoon or tomorrow morning and then they will carry out any punishment.”
“I didn’t mean that. I mean, what do we do now?”
“We?”
“Yes. You and me.” She poured the tea into the cup and took a sip. She could smell the honey he’d added. Someone had clearly been paying attention to her tea habits. “I know the judge will have the land seized since women can’t own property and it will become forfeited once they hang Papa.” She gazed into her teacup. “I guess I really am an orphan now. I have nowhere to go other than back to Richmond.”
The sound of the chair legs scraping against the wood floor silenced the room, and she glanced up to see Beau rising from his seat. His handsome face was now contorted in an angry expression, and his fists clenched as he took a step forward.
“I need to get you back to the ranch. I’ll take you out there and then return for the trial this afternoon.”
She wondered what set him off as she placed the cup down and rose from the table. “Thank you for the tea and for taking care of me. I am grateful for your kindness.”
She felt a tug in her heart to lean into Beau, but she clenched her jaw and pushed away. Now, she would watch as he walked away with almost everything that mattered to her. Her horses were now grazing in his pastures. The blink of an eye would be all the time necessary for the land and the dilapidated cabin, once promised to her, to be sold to Beau.Even Walter, her loyal companion, had chosen the Picketts over her.
“I hope you know, Adaya, that I would do anything for you.” Beau’s eyes lingered on her, and she felt a blush creeping up her neck. She quickly averted her gaze and headed for the door. “And you don’t have to go to Richmond. It upsets me that you think your only option is to leave.”
“You can’t restore what they have taken away from me.”
“No. I can’t do that, kitten.” A slight tic appeared in his cheek, and she watched it pulse with each breath he took. “I’m going to check on Jesse and I’ll meet you outside.” He turned on his heel and left her alone in the small kitchen.
She waited until his boot steps faded before she put her head in her hands and took a deep breath. Squeezing her eyes shut, she felt a tear slide out from underneath her eyelashes and trickle down her cheek as she curled up in a warm hug of misery.
She didn’t know how long she sat there until she heard Carolina call her name. Hastily wiping her tears away, Adaya stood and quickly cleaned up the table.
“There you are,” Carolina said, breezing into the kitchen. “Beau asked me... are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I was just having a moment. Is he ready to go?”
“Did something happen between you and Beau?”
“No,” she lied. “In order for something to happen, there has to be something there.”
“I don’t believe you,” Carolina said gently. “You’ve gone through a bunch of emotions today, but Beau will make sure you are safe. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“It is just a means to an end now.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He wanted the land next door. Once they hang my father, he can buy it up for pennies. He doesn’t need me at all.” Carolina laughed. “What’s so funny?” Adaya demanded.
“You. I think you love him as much as he loves you.” Carolina picked up a kitchen towel and folded it neatly. “Let me tell you something about the Pickett men. They are loyal as the day is long. He’s not going to do anything to harm you, and I certainly don’t think he is going to steal your land from underneath you. Where’s your cloak? We need to get you downstairs.”
“I left it in the bedroom.”
“I’ll go get it. You stay here for a moment.”
Adaya’s gaze followed Carolina out of the kitchen, and she exhaled deeply. She didn’t want Beau to see her upset when they rode back to the ranch. Standing, she smoothed down her skirt, her fingers noticing the slight bulge in her pocket. Reaching in, she pulled out the envelope that Beau had given her earlier that day. She had almost forgotten about it. She tore it open and read the note, her fingers moving to her lips as her eyes scanned the words on the page. Giving a happy sob, she folded the letter and placed it back in her pocket and went downstairs to find Beau.
He was outside with his horse, adjusting the cinch straps around the horse’s belly.
