Milly Albright was a strong, beautiful woman. She was 24, unmarried, and living without her parents. She had wavy blonde hair all the way down her back and green eyes. She also had a bad temper, everyone in town knew, don't mess with Milly.

Milly was the young woman that Adam had seen chopping wood in the yard of the restaurant. Adam smiled at her and watched her work before he started to walk to her. He wasn't really sure how to start the conversation.

Just then, another young woman came to the door and called out, "Milly! Pa says there are half a dozen men in here yelling for their dinners and you out here chopping wood!"

Milly scooped up the wood and yelled back, "I'm coming Ruth. Keep your bloomers on." She then disappeared inside.

Adam smiled. She was a hard worker and used to cooking for many men. Not to mention how pretty she was. She was definitely the gal for him.

Adam walked into the restaurant. It was big and warm. Animal furs lined the walls, along with a few deer heads and some impressive looking rifles.

He watched as Milly served the dinner to the men. She chatted happily to them and cracked a few jokes. As she walked by him, Adam got a whiff of her food. It smelled incredible.

The owner of the restaurant, Mr. Sanders walked over to Adam and asked, "See anything you like?"

Adam nodded, "Could be, but first I better sample that cooking." And with that he walked over to the big tale and sat at the end of it, watching Milly. After he sat, Ruth Sanders came over to get his order.

"What can I get you sir?" She asked holding a pot of fresh coffee.

Ruth was young, only 16, but she had a heart of gold. She hated fighting and mean words. She was kind to everyone, no matter what. She loved to bake, especially pies.

Adam smiled at her, "Whatever that young lady is serving is fine with me." He replied.

Ruth nodded and walked away. She told Milly to serve Adam dinner. Milly glanced over at him and nodded.

Suddenly a rough, skinny man grabbed Milly's chest in his hands. "I reckon I'll take my dessert now Milly." He slurred, obviously drunk.

Adam jumped up and marched over, grabbing the man by his collar. "Hey. That ain't no way to treat a lady!" He yelled.

The man looked confused and struggled against Adam, "Butt out of this mister!" He yelled trying to act touch. Adam scuffed and shoved the drunk out the front door and out into the square. Adam then shut the door behind him,

He turned to see Milly staring at him, looking stunned. Adam looked a little sheepish, "I uh, hope my interfering don't cause you no trouble ma'am." He said to her.

Milly smiled at him, "Oh. No trouble at all. I appreciate what you did."

Adam looked into the black copper pot she was holding, "That stew?" He asked.

"Yes sir." Milly replied with a smile.

"Looks good enough to eat." Adam exclaimed with a grin. He sat back down at the table.

"Here have some, I'm the best cook this side of the Rocky's." She said proudly as she served him the steaming stew. Adam started to eat, and after his first bite he looked up in amazement and exclaimed,

"Why! This stew don't even need no ketchup!" Adam grinned as he thought about eating this cooking every day.

"Here have some more, it will be no extra charge." She said as she gave him a little more. They both paused and looked into each other's eyes.

Ruth and her father came out of the kitchen and saw them. Ruth smiled, she always had been hoping that Milly would find a man to take care of her, and they looked very cute together.

Mr. Sanders didn't think it was so cute. He glared at them and yelled out, "Milly!"

Milly snapped out of it and blinked. She went back to work, her cheeks pink. She kept looking back at Adam. Adam kept eating his dinner and watched her work, enjoying the view.

After he had finished eating, Adam went to find Milly. He found her out back, milking the family cow. She looked lost in thought. Adam admired her as walked to her, he leaned over the cow and spoke "The name's Adam Pontipee."

Milly jumped a little, startled and looked up at him, "Well that is an odd name I must say Mr. Pontipee." She continued to milk the cow as she looked up at him, her hair falling onto her face.

"Call me Adam." He said grinning.

"Adam." Milly said nodding. She smiled.

Adam grinned, "Your pa sure works you hard." He commented, referring to Mr. Sanders.

"Oh Mr. Sanders? He isn't my father. My parents both passed out on the trail. We got a late start and got caught in a winter storm. I moved into town a few months back." Milly said a little sadly.

Adam frowned, "All alone?" He asked concerned.

Milly stood up, she started to do other chores, feeing the chickens. "I can take care of myself perfectly fine." She said

Adam chuckled, "Well I can see that." He paused a moment and watched her work. "Milly sit a second." He said pulling the milking stool forward.

"I need to do this first." She said gathering sticks from the yard. Adam walked over and made her look at him.

"Now you listen to me. Sit." He said forcefully. Milly blinked and sat on the stool looking at him.

Adam knelt next to her, "I've got a farm. A good farm. It has sheep, milk cow, timberlands, and 50 acres of wheat and barley. Only thing it ain't got. It ain't got a woman. So how bout it?"

Milly looked at him, confused. "How bout what?"

Adam took her hand in his and smiled saying, "How about marring me Milly?"

Milly's mouth fell open in shock. She stared at him, not saying a word.

"Milly? Did you hear me?" Adam asked, looking into her eyes.

"Of course, I did!" She said standing up quickly. The sticks in her lap fell onto the ground. She walked away from him. "I don't know anything about you. How you live and such." She explained.

Adam started to gather the sticks for her, "I know it's short notice. It would have been fitting to meet on a Sunday leaving church. Then six months later, I would've asked, could I walk you home? Then for the next two or three years, I would've sat in your front parlor every Wednesday night. Then finally I would have asked your Pa, could I marry you. At least that's the way my ma would've wanted me to do it." Adam sighed and stood up, "But you see, there just isn't time. I've got to be back tonight to tend to my stock. It will be another five months before I get back down here after the harvest. Are you really going to keep a fellow waiting all that time, just for a little eastern tradition?" He asked her, holding her hands.

Milly look down and smiled, "Well, I'll have to finish my chores first." She said shyly.

Adam grinned widely and cheered, "YEHAW! I knew from the second I laid eyes on you, you was the gal for me!" He hugged her tightly and started to walk off.

Milly frowned and called after him, "Adam!" Adam turned and looked at her. "How far is it up to the farm?" She asked.

"About 12 miles." Adam answered leaning on the fence.

"Most people think that would be real lonely, but I could use some loneliness after this restaurant. Always when I hear those men yelling for their supper, I think how wonderful it would be to cook and care for one man." Milly gushed.

Adam scratched his head and got a bit worried "Yeah…My wagon is down by the shop. I'll go get the preacher, some rings, I'll get a shave and bath, and I'll meet you in a little bit." He walked off again.

"Adam!" Milly called again.

Adam turned and looked at her, "You aren't changing your mind, now are you?" He asked worriedly.

"Well…No." Milly said.

Adam grinned and walked over, "Good." He said with a grin. He then pulled her close and kissed her gently. She was stiff at first, but she then relaxed into his arms. Adam pulled away and then finally left to go get a bath.

Milly watched him go then turned to the door way to see Mrs. Sanders and Ruth watching her along with Eliza, who was Ruth's 12-year-old sister. Ruth rushed over to her friend. "Are you planning on spending time alone with Adam Pontipee?"

Mrs. Sanders and Eliza followed Ruth over. Milly smiled slightly, "I guess you could say that." Eliza tugged on Milly's arm. When Milly looked down at her, Eliza asked,

"Do you like him Milly?" She looked really excited.

Milly smiled, "I guess so. We're getting married!" The three women looked at each other in shock and all started speaking at the same time.

"Can I be in the wedding Ma?"

"Married? Milly, you weren't even being courted."

"Oh! it's so romantic!"

Mrs. Sanders frowned and said, "Hun, you just met him."

"I know. But he gave me three years in five minutes." Milly sighed signing happily. Ruth grinned, getting excited.

"Milly there is something you should know about Adam and his family." Mrs. Sanders warned putting her hand on Milly's shoulder.

"I know all I need to know, there is real goodness in his eyes, just like my pa. I always dreamed a man like that would come and take me away." Milly said grinning at the people who had basically become her family.

"I am worried about you and your dreaming. When you wake up, you are going to be married, and marrying is for life." Mrs. Sanders said sadly.

Milly hugged Mrs. Sanders and said, "Aren't you the one who is always trying to get me married?"

"Yes, but to one of our town boys Milly. Not a scruffy mountain man!" Mrs. Sanders said looking super upset.

Milly dropped her arms, "I tried. Again, and again, but every time I thought about saying yes to one of them, I would get this shaking feeling in my stomach. When I said yes to Adam, I waited for that feeling, but it never came! I feel just fine."

Ruth looked at her mother, "Ma, Milly is smart. She wouldn't say yes to a bad man." Mrs. Sanders looked at her daughter and sighed saying

"I guess that's true." She sighed again and said, "Well come on! Ruth, finish Milly's chores. Eliza go help Milly pack."

And with that, the four women rushed off. Mrs. Sanders went and got a fresh new dress for Milly to wear. Ruth finished Milly's chores and went to help get the bride ready.

Meanwhile, Adam had a bath and shaved his face. He looked like a totally new man. He then walk to Father Elcott's home. He knocked on the door and a young girl opened it.

Alice was 16 and Ruth Sanders best friend. She was very pretty. She had golden curls and ocean blue eyes. She was really shy, being a pastor's child meant that she spent a lot of time at home or at church. She loved children and often helped with the babies at church.

Adam smiled at her, "Hello there. Is Father Elcott here?" Alice nodded and disappeared into the house. A little while later a grey-haired man appeared.

"Can I help you son?" He asked Adam.

"Yes sir. My name is Adam Pontipee and I am getting married. I was wondering if you could perform the ceremony?" Adam asked politely

Father Elcott smiled, "I would be pleased to. May I ask who you are marrying?" He asked.

Adam then realized he didn't know Milly's last name. "Milly sir. The young lady who works for the Sanders." He answered.

The pastor's eyes went wide, and he turned pale. "Milly? Milly Albright? Our Milly?"

Alice appeared next to her father, "Pa what's the matter?" She asked seeing how shocked he looked.

Her father stared at Adam. "Mr. Pontipee here is going to marry Milly." Alice glanced worriedly at Adam. Milly was a big part of their church and often was over at their house spending time with Alice, she was very close to their family.

Her father snapped out of the trance he had been in, "Well come inside, I think we had better talk." Adam stepped inside the home.

A little while later, Milly and the Sanders appeared at the house. Adam had gotten a talking to from Father Elcott. He had promised to treat Milly right and to follow God's word. Father Elcott was still worried but he agreed to marry them.

With Mr. and Mrs. Sanders as their witnesses, Adam and Milly exchanged rings and vows. Father Elcott proclaimed them to be man and wife. Adam gently kissed her. Ruth, Eliza, and Alice were watching in the background and swooning.

Adam and Mr. Sanders loaded Milly's things onto the wagon as Milly said goodbye. She hugged everyone tightly and promised to visit. Ruth and Alice almost started crying as Adam lifted his new wife onto the wagon.

With a crack of his whip, Adam set the horses off. As they rode past the general store, Mrs. Hollom saw them and almost fainted. Milly of all people, she was appalled. One women living with seven men! It was indecent.

Adam drove them out of town and they started the long journey home.