I have been wanting to write a True Grit fanfic for a while now. There isn't enough of them. i read the book and love both movie versions. I chose Mr. LaBeouf's name in honor of the author of True Grit, Charles Portis. Enjoy!

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1874

It had been one whole year since I traveled from my home in Yell County to Fort Smith to avenge my father's death. One year since I met Rooster Cogburn and the Texas Ranger LaBeouf and went on the greatest adventure of my short life. I wrote to Mr. LaBeouf and Rooster weekly. I had received one letter from Rooster telling me of his latest arrest of the Clevenger Gang he pursued into the Choctaw Nation. That was almost 6 months ago and no word since.

The Texas Ranger on the other hand has become quite the penpal. We get letters every few weeks telling us of his company and their many adventures. Why, last week we got a letter saying he may come for a visit some time soon. Mother has prepared our spare room just in case. LaBeouf has continually asked me to call him by his Christian name, but I cannot seem to do it. Charles just doesn't have the same ring to it as LaBeouf.

"Mattie!" She heard her brother Little Frank call out her name. She heard a horse approaching, so she got up from the writing desk to see what all the fuss was about. "Mattie!" he yelled again. "I'm on my way, Little Frank. My goodness. Stop your screeching." As she step out the door, she saw it was the Post Master bringing them a package and a letter. "Good morning, Mr. Healey and how are you this fine morning?" Mattie said with a smile. As always, he looked at her stump of an arm. She didn't get angry any longer. She'd just become used to the stares and whispers by now. She bid him farewell and turned toward the front door. Little Frank wanted to read the letter this time, but it was not address to The Ross Family like it usually was. It was addressed to Miss Mattie Ross as was the package. "Sorry, Little Frank. Not this time. This letter is addressed to me only. Next time a letter is addressed to the family, you can read it." He kicked the doorway in disappointment but got over it within minutes.

Mattie took the package and letter into her room and closed the door. She opened the letter first. It read:

Dear Mattie:

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I unfortunately am not. I was out scouting and my horse was spooked by your worst enemy, a rattler. I was thrown, but not bitten. My beloved horse was not so lucky. She died within hours. They would not "waste" antivenom on a horse.

My arm is broken as is my heart, so I will be taking some long awaited time off from the Rangers. I hope you do not mind my coming to stay at your family's farm during my recovery. I have sent a package of goodies and a Texas Ranger star for Little Frank. Please be sure he gets it. He wrote in his last letter that he wished he had one. All my best to you and the rest of the Ross family. See you soon.

Yours,

Charles P. LaBeouf

Mattie felt the heat in her cheeks and knew she was blushing. "Yours." He had never ended his letters like that. Mattie shook her thoughts from her head, then took the package downstairs to the kitchen and opened it carefully. There was a jar of Strawberry Preserves and 2 jars of pickles for momma, the Texas Ranger Star with "Little Frank" scrolled acrossed it, a silk handkerchief with Victoria's initials, and a photo of LaBeouf with his dearly departed horse for Mattie. She turned the photo over and saw he had written on the back, "I hope you enjoy this photo of me and my beloved horse, Chase. I never named a horse before I met you. Love, Charles."

Her face was hot now. He won't feel this way after seeing me with one arm. "That Rodeo Clown thinks he can write the word "love" and I'm gonna turn into a hair brained idiot? I don't think so." she thought to herself and then smiled as she looked at the photograph again. He was quite handsome, but he had at least 12 years on her. What a fool. She heard the screen door close and turned to see who came in. It was momma with Victoria. "Ah, back from Mrs. Walkers, I see. Look what Mr. LaBeouf sent us." Mattie showed her momma the preserves and pickles and the beautiful handkerchief for Victoria. Momma put it up for when Victoria was a little older.

She told her of the letter and that Mr. LaBeouf was coming soon. Little Frank came in to wash up for supper and Mattie gave him his star. "Oh, wow! The guys at school are gonna be so jealous when I bring this in!" Momma told him that he really should keep it home and he looked to Mattie to confirm. She shook her head in agreement with her mother much to Little Frank's disappointment.

They began setting the table when the sound of a carriage pulling up to the house got their attention. Momma excused herself while she checked who had just arrived. Mattie began laddling the venison stew into the 4 bowls on the table. "Got room for one more?" She dropped the laddle as she heard a voice she'd not heard in a long time. She looked up and met his piercing blue eyes. "Hello, stranger." Mattie walked up to her dear friend, LaBeouf, and put her hand on her hip. "Hello yourself. How was the journey to Yell County? How are you feeling, Mr. LaBeouf?" He smirked at her and said he really wished she'd stop with the Mr. LaBeouf crap and just call him Charles. Mattie just shook her head and replied, "No sir. I know nothing of Charles, but LaBeouf is a dear, dear friend of mine." He stepped closer and Mattie blushed.

"Mattie, dear. Set a place setting for Charles." "Oh no, not momma too", she thought to herself while grabbing Papa's old bowl and filling it with stew. They sat and said the blessing and began to ear. "My goodness, Mrs. Ross. You sure outdone yourself with this stew. Best I ever tasted, ma'am." Momma smiled, "Well that is very kind of you to say. but I didn't make the stew, my Mattie did. He smiled and continued to enjoy the meal.

Momma and Mattie were cleaning up while LaBeouf had Little Frank and Victoria's attention telling stories in the parlor. Mattie couldn't help the smile plastered on her face and her mother noticed. "You like him." Mattie stopped smiling and looked at her mother, "Of course. He is a good friend." She kept her cool and her mother just smiled and continued to dry the dishes.

Afterward, Momma excused herself and put the children to bed. Mattie joined LaBeouf out on the porch and filled his pipe for him since his arm was in a sling. He watched in amazement how she could do it with such ease with only one arm herself. "You make it look so easy, Miss Mattie. You would never know that you only had," he stopped talking before he said the rest of his sentence. Mattie looked up at him, "Mr. LaBeouf, I am not sensitive to my disability any longer so there is no need to watch your words when it comes to my arm being gone. Although, I am impressed that you had the thought to do so." He took his hat off, placed it on the rocker, and, as he was oft to do, attempted to comb down his unruly cowlick with his hand. Mattie giggled. "I do not know why you bother trying to tame it, Mr. LaBeouf. It's like it has a mind of its own." She noticed his smile. He has a sweet little dimple pop up when he did and made him look almost endearing.

"So, you are all finished your schooling now. Do you have any plans?" Mattie sat in thought for a while, "Well, I do love accounting. I was thinking of maybe working at the bank or something like that. On the other hand, I also have loved teaching Victoria and Little Frank so possibly teaching. Until I figure it out, I help around the farm and on the weekends, I work the register at the general store. That's becoming a nuisance because the men that come in there seem to think me desperately seeking a husband and make marriage proposals almost daily. Do I look like a girl who wants a husband?" Mr. LaBeouf opened his mouth and then closed it as if lost for words.

He looked around the farm and took a few puffs from his pipe. Mattie looked at him and noticed his demeanor had changed. "Oh, not you too?" He looked up at her with sad eyes. "I was not going to propose marriage, Miss Mattie. Just a," he mumbled the last word. Mattie knitted her brows together in confusion, "What was that last word?" Mr. LaBeouf sighed, then he stared into her eyes and said, "Courtship." Mattie looked at him, but couldn't find words. She had enjoyed their friendship. Did she find him attractive? Yes. Had she thought about this becoming a possibility? No. She knew he had joked about stealing a kiss when they had first met, but for him to be interested in a one armed, no nonsense, independent woman like herself? She didn't know what to say.

"Mr. LaBeouf, are you saying that you would like to date me? Me? You remember how difficult I can be, right? Are you still concussed?" He looked at her with no humor behind his eyes. He looked so serious and it scared her. He stood up and walked over to the railing on the front porch, puffing on his pipe one last time, then tapping it out. He continued to face away from her without saying one word. Mattie stood up and walked over to him. She felt like butterflies were in her tummy. She didn't know what came over her, but she had the sudden urge to kiss Mr. LaBeouf. She touched his arm gently to get his attention. When he turned his head to meet her eyes, his were glistening. She reached up and touched his face, "Mr. LaBeouf, you are my dearest friend." She leaned up towards him and it finally registered in his brain that she wished to kiss him. He smiled, then leaned down to meet her lips for the first time.

She could feel the butterflies subside and a new feeling arise. She felt heat pooling between her legs. It was an unknown feeling, but she'd heard the girls at school describe it before. DESIRE. Mattie continued exploring Mr. LaBeouf's mouth and as he pulled her closer, she felt his growing desire on her leg causing her to break the kiss. "Do you know how long I have wanted to do that, Mattie?" LaBeouf said with a smile. Mattie gave him a quick peck on the lips, "Since you watched me sleeping a year ago; fever and all." They laughed and he pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "So, does that mean you accept my offer of courtship, Miss Mattie?" he said as he continued to hold her close as if afraid she'd run away. "Yes, Mr. LaBeouf. I accept."

Well there is Chapter 1 ~ Let me know what you think! And thanks for reading!