John Marston didn't die. Neither did Abigail, the ranch is bigger and a little improved.

John M: 38 (This is his age in this story)

Abigail M: 36

Jack M: 18

Delilah H: 18

Bonnie MccFarlan: 22

Damon MccFarlan: 21

It was all fine this morning.

Perfect.

My father, a nobleman had just comeback from a very long business trip while my mother, a teacher finally started her holiday. We were going to go to Mexico for our holiday; Escalada was the name of the place. I was so excited and packed only my finest clothes, though when it came for the time to go we had all gotten into a carriage. I wanted to pick some lavender wild flowers that I had saw near our house and hurriedly ran to get some. My mother and father promised they would wait.

I didn't realize how far into the woods I had gotten, when I had finally got the flowers I ran back to the spot my parents were at, that was when I was met by the most disturbing scene in my life.

I was at the edge of the forest when I had seen men in uniforms surround my family's carriage, they were all on horses. All a brown colour except for one, he had something in the hand. He dropped it onto the roof of the carriage. All the troops ran away. Before I knew it a large bang echoed around. I gasped as the troops ran away laughing talking about mission accomplished as parts of the wagon landed by my foot. Tears blurred my vision. I ran back into the forest. I ran and ran until I couldn't hear anything or remember anything. The wind whipped my face and my long brown locks; it was hard to run in long skirts, I always liked to be in shorts. But we were, well are posh… a ditch in the ground brought me to a halt as I fell. My head hit a sharp object and I zoned out…

"Excuse me miss? Miss? Are you okay?" a deep voice asked as I came back to earth. I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut as a hand gently shook my shoulder. "Miss, please. You look hurt." The hand persisted on my shoulder until I had finally got the strength to open my eyes. It took me a few minutes to do so.

I was still in a forest, though now I couldn't remember where. My head throbbed and my clothes were muddy and torn. I looked a mess. I glanced at the person who had found me.

He was wearing a black cowboy hat , his hair was a muddy brown and fell just before his shoulders, he had a lot of stubble. He also has two scars on his cheek, one on his nose and another on the other cheek. He wore typical cowboy clothes though he carried a gun, I instantly cringed and scrambled to try and get away from him though my back came into contact with a tree.

He seemed to instantly understand my discomfort.

"Do not worry Miss, I will not hurt you."

"Who are you?" I asked feebly

"My name is John Marston, I own a ranch at Beecher's Hope, I would like to take you there miss where my wife is, she can look at your cut and get you some new clothes." His eyes were kind as he held out one gloved hand. I stared at the open palm of the glove for some time until I slowly took his hand; he smiled at me and carefully lifted me up so I was standing. I winced at the pain in my head.

"It will be alright Miss, we'll get you patched up in a jiffy." I nodded as he led me out of the woods. When we got to a path he whistled, hooves galloping in the distance drew closer before round the corner, a beautiful white grey horse with a dark face came closer to us, it mane whipping out in any direction. It whinnied when it saw Mr Marston and halted by his side. He helped me up before sitting behind me.

"You have a beautiful horse Mr Marston." I complimented as we cantered down the path away from the forest.

"Thank you Miss...?"

"Hartwell, Miss Delilah Hartwell."

"Thank you Miss Hartwell, she's a keeper, she's called Apollo."

"It's a very nice name."

"Thank you, why don't you rest up now, we won't get back till mornin'." I nodded, even though I didn't feel drowsy, sleep overtook me quite easily...

"Miss Hartwell." Mr Marston called my name over the pounding sound of Apollo's hooves. "We're nearly there." I looked around, it was morning, we were on a wide path. Wild horses were all on the fields, John slowed down to a trot as we rounded the corner. In the distance I could make out a ranch, brown high fencing was around the exterior, we went through an open gate into the ranch.

"This is it, Beecher's Hope." John said

It was beautiful, you could tell it was being slightly modernised, the stable was having an extension along with the house, and another flat was being built near it along with a chicken pen and a horse pasture. I loved it.

"It's very beautiful." I sighed.

"I know. We are puttin' a lot of work into it." Mr Marston led the horse to a hitching post and jumped off but turned around to help me. A soft thud echoed off the ground and I let go of Mr Marston's hand.

"Abigail will be in, she will look after your cut and take you to get some new clothes." He told me again.

"Thank you so much Mr Marston but all of this. You don't have to bring me back to your ranch or look after me."

"In the way I live, I always help the people in need." I smiled behind him as he walked up the few wooden steps to the house. He opened the door and I followed inside.

"Mrs Marston? You have a visitor!" John called out.

A women came out of a dark wooden door to the left of us, she had a pretty oval face, black hair tied up, out of her face. She was wearing a blue blouse and a belt with a chequered long skirt.

"Who is this pretty young lady John?" Abigail asked.

"This is Miss Delilah Hartwell, I found her in the woods, a blow to the head by landing on something, she remembers everything, but what had happened, I was hoping you would patch her up and take her clothes shopping?" Mr Marston asked with a glint in his eye, Mrs Marston smiled.

"Of course! She took my hand and lead me away from John and into the kitchen, she motioned me to sit down as she rummaged through the cupboards.

"You have a lovely ranch Mrs Marston." She smiled warmly at me over her shoulder.

"Thank you Delilah, and please. Call me Abigail." I nodded. Moments later she pulled out some bandages and medical things. "Just sit tight darlin' this won't hurt one bit." She assured as she got to work.

"So John says you don't remember anything about what happened."

"When I think about it, it's like it didn't happen, I just don't remember." I sighed.

"Well, Delilah, you are welcome to stay as long as you want. We only have another child. He's called Jack, such the gentleman."

"I would love to stay, if it's no bother to you, I have no other belongings with me."

"Don't worry!" Abigail chirruped. "I've just got to secure this in place and we can go out to the market and buy you some new clothes."

"Thank you."

"It's no hassle darlin', anyway, you should be fine now, come on let's get you some new things." Abigail gleamed at me before walking out the door, with me trailing behind it.

I had a very good time with Abigail today; she brought me a lot of new things, brushes, make-up, dresses, and books.

She called me the daughter she always wanted.

When we got back she set up a shower for me and came in to lay a nightgown for me to sleep in. When I came out of the shower and into the kitchen Abigail smiled from the table.

"My, my! Delilah, you have a gorgeous figure." I blushed and thanked her. "I s'pose your quite sleepy eh? I've changed the sheets in Jack's room; he won't be back till tomorrow. He's in Blackwater. We will, well John will work on a new room for you. Until then you can sleep with the horses." My eyes went wide.

The horses? I do love horses but I can't sleep with them! Suddenly Abigail started laughing.

"I was joking Delilah! You can sleep in the spare room, but John needs to get the bed in there." I nodded and thanked her again for allowing me to live here. "I told you! It's no hassle, now c'mon; I'll show you to Jacks' room.

Jacks room was beautiful, ebony walls yet a light, birch coloured wooden floor. Well crafted birch draws, wardrobe and bookcases, he had lots of books. His bed looked very comfy; ebony posts yet plain, pearl white sheets. It was a double bed.

"I can't help but think I'm intruding." Abigail chuckled.

"Believe me you're really not! Now get to bed, it's quite late." I did as I was told.

"Thank you again Abigail, goodnight."

"Goodnight Delilah." She turned the light switch off and closed the door. I snuggled down into the bed, the only light illuminating the room was the moon through the white curtains. I smiled and closed my eyes.

I'm really starting to like Beecher's Hope…

Don't worry Jack will be in the next chapter