The sun rose and the rays of its warmth hit ever thing within its reach. The flowers started to blossom with the thirst of the heat. It casted a shine off the dew of the ground. Off in the distance a ranch sat. The land outlined by a white fence. The long dirt drive way that lead to a house was lined with dogwood trees. The house itself was a beautiful sight. A single story home that as made out of brick with white pillars along the front deck. Bushes and flowers sat in the mulch bed around the front of the house. It sat there with pride and the dogwood trees added a life to the ok place. The wind blew through the branches as petals dances along the wind and floated to the ground. It was a sight that would make anyone want to walk up to it or live there.
Just then the front door opened. Out stepped a elder lady about mid-fifties. She was wearing a long blue dress with a darker blue trim along the bottom and midway up. Her hair was done and put up into a bun with a ribbon handing from it. She had a cover over her shoulders as she stepped outside. She looked around at the land and smiled. Taking a deep breath she then sighed. The air was clean and renewed with a new day. "What a wonderful sight." She stated and the door opened yet again. This time a older man around the same age joined her. He was dressed head to toe in a gray confederate uniform. He smiled and placed his hand on her arm. "Good morning ma'am." He stated with a smiled and she laughed. "Dear Johnathan, it will be a good morning when you don't have to leave to the post." She stated and he sighed. "Martha you know as well as I do, that I want to stay. However I have a duty to my state." He stated and she looked at him and nodded. "Yes I know. I love you for that." She said and gave him a kiss.
Up ahead a group of men also dressed in confederate uniforms rode up to the house. One had the reins of a horse with no rider. "Sir when you are ready." Stated the soldier and the man nodded. He walked up and mounted the horse. "Look for me my dear." He stated to his beloved wife as he turned and rode off. She sighed and softly whispered, "Always my husband, always." After she had said that a horse went flying past the house. She gasped and held her chest as she looked at it like a weird object. A laugh was heard from the back of the horse and then it hit her who it was. "Annabelle!" she shouted.
Annabelle smiled as she just whipped the reins. Her horse galloped fast and hard as she rode. A smile on her face as she caught up with her Father and his troops. He looked beside him and then did a double take. "WOOH!" He commanded and the group stopped. "Annabella what on earth are you doing?!" He asked in a stern voice. She looked at him and nodded her head. "I just came to tell my father I love him and god bless." She stated and her father sighed. "Annabelle, my sweet daughter. Everyday you grow to be a wonderful woman and great rider. I love you as well. Now get home before your mother has a heart attack." He chuckled and she smiled. She kicked and took off again back to the house. Her father watched until she was out of sight. Looking at him men he laughed and said, "Last one to the post buys the round." He took off and his men laughed as they followed him.
Annabelle rode through the gate and up the long drive. Her mother was standing there waiting. "Young lady I hope you have a good reason to have taken off like that and in those clothes." She stated and Annabelle looked herself over. She was in a pair of light brown pants, a white shirt, and black boots. Looking at her mother she smiled. "Why yes mother in fact I do." She stated and her mother looked at her waiting. "I took off like that to tell my father I love him and God bless. How am I supposed to know if I will see him again or not?" she asked and her mother sighed. "My child you are a wonderful daughter. Please put the horse up and join us for breakfast." She stated and Annabelle nodded her head. She trotted back to the barn on the horse. Once put up she joined her mother inside for breakfast. Getting washed up she headed into the dining area. "Glad to see you make it dear." Her mother stated and she nodded.
There was a knock on the door and she walked to it. There stood the sheriff and his men. "Can we help you sheriff?" she asked and he nodded. "Morning Annabelle, I came here to warn you that a criminal is in these areas. He has been convicted of robbery in the two counties back from us." He stated and Anna nodded. " I will be sure to let my mother know of this. Thank you sheriff." She stated and he turned to leave as she shut the door. Walking back into the kitchen she looked at her mother and told her what was said. "Well, I will be sure to let the workers know to keep an eye out as well." She stated and Anna nodded. "As for you lady, you will not be taking any "late night" rides without someone with you. Do I make myself clear?" She asked and Anna nodded. "DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" She asked again and Anna stated, "Yes Ma'am." Her mother nodded her head and smiled. "Good. You are free to go if you want Anna." She stated and anna got up from the table. She walked back outside and sat on the porch.
Later that night Anna went back to the barn to check on the horses as well. She walked down the center and looked into each of the stalls. That criminal could be anywhere and she was keeping a eye in her horses. The last thing she wanted was some person to steal her horses. While she was checking on them she heard footsteps coming up behind her and she hid behind the nearby hay bales. Looking she saw that the footsteps belonged to Mr. Hills. He was the stable boss and hands that took care of the barns, horses, and the cattle that the family owned. She sighed and he laughed as he saw her stand up. "Ms. Annabelle why, what in earth are you doing over there?" he asked and she shrugged. "I thought I lost my hoof pick over here but apparently not." She stated and he shook his head as he held up a hoof pick that was laying on the bench next to him. "This hoof pick right here ma'am?" he asked and she looked at it. "Where did you find it?" she asked and he smiled. "Right over here on the bench. The same place that you left it yesterday after you cleaned the horses hooves." He stated and she nodded. "Sometimes I think my fathers forgetfulness rubs off on me." She stated and they both laughed. She continued to care and check that the barn was in working order. After she headed back into the house.
"Anna will you please come here." Her mother asked and Anna listened. She walked up to her and nodded. "Yes mamma?" she asked and her mother smiled. "Dear I will be heading into city for a few days. You can either come or stay. If you stay do not leave the land without one of the men with you. If you do go you need to change those clothes of yours. " she stated and Anna thought about it. Yes she wanted to go and look around the city but, she rather stay here and be somewhere she is more comfortable with. She then looked at her mother and smiled. "I will be staying here mother. Thank you for the offer to go tho." She stated and her mother smiled. "Anytime my child. Now while I am gone you will be in charge. Mrs. Hills will still be cooking and cleaning but, I expect you to help her with some of the house chores. You still have your work that you have to do and they must be done." She stated and Anna nodded. Her mother then smiled and gave her a hug as she continued packing. It was a few hours later that she loaded up into the carriage and headed to the city.
Anna went and finished her chores like her mother had asked. After she headed to her room and changed her clothes. She got into a pair of pants, shirt, vest, and boots. Once she was done she headed to the feileds.