Hello! I know this isn't a new chapter, but since Em was so irate about all of my mistakes, I edited the first chapter. I have also made a change about how Annabelle is related to ALMANZO (yes I changed that too) to be more accurate. Thank you for your reviews, please keep them coming.
Annabelle Brooks-Wilder looked out the window of the stagecoach. She still couldn't believe she was being forced to live in some little town in Minnesota. She cringed whenever someone asked where she was going. It was embarrassing when someone recognized her.
"Brooks," they would say. "Are you related to senator Robert Brooks or Governor Charles Brooks?"
"Why yes their both uncles of mine." Annabelle would say with a southern accent.
Now in this hot stagecoach she was nobody, all because of that awful Wilder. She hated having to carry her father's last name. He had been a farmer; her mother fell in love with him although she came from a prominent family. They married and had Annabelle. But when Annabelle was two years old they were killed in a fire. Annabelle was sent to live with her grandparents. She had a happy childhood, and she completed high school two years early because she so bright. None of this matter now. All because when her grandmother died three months ago, her grandfather decided to notify her father's family. And one of them, the cousin from Minnesota wanted her to come live with him. Annabelle cursed this man, how could he? Everything had been arranged for her to live in Boston with her cousin James and his wife Sarah. James was a doctor, but this Almanzo was a farmer just like her father.
The stage stopped the driver came around to open the door. Annabelle stepped out there were a few buildings here and there. Well, I'm here she thought.
"Annabelle?" a man asked.
"Yes, sur?" she asked. She was a southerner if anyone had every heard one. (*Note sur is not sir for a reason!)
"No, need to call me sir, I'm your cousin Almanzo Wilder," the man said.
"A pleasure to meet you," Annabelle said with a smile.
"Where are your bags?" he asked.
"Those floral ones there," she pointed them out.
Her uncle lifted the two heavy bags with out any trouble. He led Annabelle to his wagon.
"My trunks should be coming in about a week," she told him.
Almanzo didn't say anything, but he helped Annabelle into the wagon. He thought to himself "how much stuff does this girl have?"
"You have very fine horses," Annabelle said.
"You like horses?" Almanzo asked.
"Yes I adore riding. When the sun is setting it's so beautiful to just ride. I have three horses, well I had three horses," she said smiling.
"Well, we're here," Almanzo said. He jumped of the wagon.
Annabelle looked at the house it was small, but well taken care of; at least she didn't have to live in a dump. A woman came outside; she was holding a small child.
"Annabelle this is my wife Laura," Almanzo told her.
"How do you do?" Annabelle said.
"I'm just fine," Laura laughed. "I've been holding dinner until you arrived. Are you hungry?"
"Yes, but may I freshen up first?" Annabelle asks.
"Of coarse," Laura ushers Annabelle into the house.
A girl about ten was sitting at the table doing schoolwork.
"Annabelle this is your second cousin Jenny," Laura says.
"Hello," Jenny says. "Come, I'll show our room. I hope you don't mind sharing with me?"
"Not at all," Annabelle says. She meant it too; Jenny was very sweet just like her friend Charlotte's younger sister Louisa.
Almanzo put Annabelle's bags in the bedroom and left.
Annabelle opened the smaller one up. She pulled out her lavender lawn dress. She changes into it and then quickly restyled her hair.
"Your pretty," Jenny says.
"Thank you, your very pretty yourself," Annabelle says.
"Well you have fancy clothes and things that I don't have," Jenny says.
"Clothes don't make you pretty, but I brought something for you. I'm not sure it will fit, but I had a dress made up for you," Annabelle tells her.
"Really?"
"Here it is try it on."
"It fits perfect, and it's so pretty." The dress was a light pink.
"My best friend's little sister chose it. She is about your age."
"I love it. I'll write to your friend's sister and thank her."
"Shall we go to dinner Jenny."
"We shall." Jenny giggles.
They exit the room.
"Look at Laura, Annabelle brought me a dress, and it fits perfect," Jenny exclaims.
"That is a very pretty dress," Laura says.
"Yes, you look very nice," Almanzo states.
"After dinner put it away to where to church," Laura instructs.
"Yes Aunt Laura I know," Jenny says.
LATER THAT NIGHT
"Manly that was an expensive gift Annabelle gave Jenny," Laura says to her husband as the sat in bed.
"Yes, it was."
"Are you sure you want her to stay here?" Laura asks.
"Of coarse, she's family."