Chapter 1
I could feel the wind rush through my hair, my skirt flew out behind me as a stood up in my saddle, holding on tightly to the reins. All I could hear was the constant hollow sound my horse's shoe made every time it hit the dusty ground. We didn't slow down until we reached our destination, the banks of the Mississippi River.
"Whoa," I said sternly, when we got there, my horse Melody, stopped smoothly on the damp bank. I tied her up and got my tackle box and cane pole out. I baited my rusty hand made hook and stuck it into the clear water. I lay up against a tree, and pulled the brim of my hat down low over my eyes. My mind drifted back to that morning.
"Missy, she can't be doing this any longer, she needs to start acting like a lady, she can't be going off fishin' like this, and she should be off sewing or something. She's 18 most girls her age are married, and having kids." Pa had said. But Mama stood her ground. "Dave, she should do what she wants to do, not be sold off to the man who offers the most for her hand in marriage! And we still need her, at least until Mattie grows up!"
"I have rejected all the men who have asked my permission to court Diamond, and there have been many who have offered allot of money, but Missy she's going to have to get married someday, and you know I want the best for her, I'll only accept the proposal if it is someone who is really rich and willing to pay a handsome sum for her," Pa said hastily, then paused, "Diamond are you listening to us?"
I shrunk back behind the door panel, trying to seem invisible. Pa laughed "I already saw you, so come on out, Pa limped toward me, his cane wobbling and bending under his weight. I stood up and said, "There have been men who wish to court me Pa?"
He frowned "Yes, but none of them are right, I will only have the best for my daughter,"
I nodded "Um… thank you sir," he gave me a comforting smile, which only made my heart sink.
Now, sitting on the bank of the Mississippi, I thought of what it would be like to be married. Would my husband expect me to stay home all day long watching our children and… cooking? Or would there be someone who was fun, exiting, and adventurous.
About 3 hours later, when I had caught about 4 fish, I got on top of Melody, and headed for home. I decided to take the forest path. Melody and I walked along slowly dodging trees. I loosened my reigns and felt my horses shoulder blades go up and down.
About half an hour later, I was feeling quite relaxed, when something caught my eye. My heart stopped, a small snake was bundled under a tree, it was a common adder, but I knew if Melody saw it, she would spook. I crossed my fingers and nudged her forward. We were about 3 feet from the snake, when Melody spotted it. She stood still for a moment then let out a terrible sound, she ran through the forest, her mane flying everywhere. I wanted to jump off but I couldn't, I watched as a low branch hit me, I hit the hard ground, a pain shot through my body, the sound of my own screaming rung through my ears, then, nothing.
