The year is unmistakably 1884. My hands shake at the mere thought of myself getting married to Ryan Wolfe. I suppose I should start from the beginning…
It was just last week; I was sitting on the front porch trying to escape this awful weather we've been having. I was minding my own business, sipping on my lemonade… when Momma and Poppa stepped outside and walked towards me. I thought, "Uh oh, something's wrong." I could tell by their faces.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, they sat by me and looked into my eyes. Momma appeared to be sad, while Poppa looked like he struck a gold mine. I knew my eyes were asking questions, so Momma spoke first.
All she said was. "Honey…" before she broke into tears. My heart started running a mile a minute. Momma never cried, she was a strong woman. She had to be a strong person living in the west.
"Momma." I remember I pleaded; I grabbed her hands in mine.
"Lamb chops, you're getting married." Daddy bluntly said.
"What?!" I demanded him, Momma just cried and blubbered on 'bout her baby growing up. At that point I just wanted to slap her in the face, and tell her to stop howling like a lost cow.
"You're getting married to Ryan Wolfe Darling" Poppa said. Next thing I knew, I had dead away fainted on the wooden porch.
Then I remembered Momma and Poppa hovering over me, Momma looked scared silly and Daddy still had that pathetic smile on his face. They helped me sit up, but all I wanted to know was, what was going on? Daddy quickly explained to me, about how he lost a bet with Ryan's Pa. They bargained Daddy's best horse and me.
How in the sand hill do you lose your own daughter to a bet? Every time I think about it, I just want to hurl my guts out. Daddy also bet, that if he lost, Mr. Wolfe's son could marry me.
Don't get me wrong, Ryan Wolfe is a handsome young 21 year old. I'm just not attracted to him, and frankly I'm not ready to be married. I'm only 16 years old; he's a good deal older. I know its common for people to be married with age spaces, but I want a fellow my own age.
I don't even know Ryan personally. A few hellos there, and maybe a glimpse of him in town, but nothing else. Forgive me if the pages are smudged, I can't seem to stop my tears these days.
My insides always twist at the though of becoming Ryan's wife… in every way; If you know what I mean. I reckon there's no way to stop this, Daddy's a man of his word… unfortunately.
The darn wedding is in 2 weeks. Oops! Momma would tan my hide if she heard me use the word Darn! There I go again… oh well!
Goodbye for now Diary, Momma's calling to get my dress fitted and my fingers are starting to cramp something awful.
Sincerely,
Calleigh Duquesne ~
