I was sitting on the swing at my favorite place near where my mother was buried by the pond.
I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't notice Adam riding up to the pond. He mounts off his horse and walks over to me. He was relieved to see her but it turns to concern when he notices how distraught she was.
"Amelia" he said. I turn my head to see him standing there. I knew he would come to find me. I get off the swing and run over to him. I wrap my arms around his middle and started to cry harder.
I could feel his arms around me and I felt safe but most of all I felt loved. "Please don't let Papa send me away! I'll be good... honest. I'm sorry that I've been such a burden and I promise I won't be a pain to any of you anymore. I love you Adam. And I love Hoss and Joe and Pa please don't send me away!" I begged as I wept.
Adam was confuse and holds me tighter in his arms. "Shh...It's alright shortcake. Shhh...it's ok baby" he soothed and kisses me on the head. Once he felt that I had calmed down he pulls me at arm's length and looks at me.
I could see the concern in his eyes and it made me feel sad. "Baby, what are you talking about?" he asked me. I took a deep breath and look up at him again.
"Martha told me that she is taking me away from Papa because she thinks that he's an unfit father and can't take care of me. She showed me Mama's will" I told him trying to put on a brave face for him but inside I was crying and screaming.
Adam touches my left cheek tenderly like he always does when he comforts me. "Oh sweetheart you're not a burden and I don't want you to ever think that ever, alright?" he said. I nod my head.
"We love you so much sweetheart especially Pa nothing in the entire world could change that" he said with tears in his eyes. I look up at him and I nodded my head.
I look at him curiously "I need to know what's going on and why Martha is trying to break our family".
"Martha somehow got her hands on your mother's will and she is using it to force Pa to agree to let Martha take you away. Pa went to go see the Judge but unfortunately it didn't do any good" Adam said.
"The Judge told Pa that if he doesn't agree to the terms of the will Martha can take him to court and get custody of you"
"Is there anything we can do?" I asked. Adam shakes his head. "I don't think so shortcake". "Why is this happening?" I asked him.
Adam puts his arms around me. "I don't know sweetheart but we'll get through it together. No matter what happens nothing is gonna change how I feel about you. I love you always have and always will".
"I love you too Adam. I'm sorry for all of this" I told him. Adam hugs me and kisses me on the head. "Oh no baby girl this isn't your fault not at all" he said.
He pulls away from me. "C'mon let's go home" he said. I nod my head and we walk over to our horses mounted on and rode back home.
Just as we rode in the yard Pa, Hoss and Joe were coming out of the house. They were really relieved to see me I can only imagine how worried they must have been.
"I'm sorry I worried you all" I told them as I mounted off my horse. Pa walks over to me. "Are you alright sweetheart?" he asked.
"I'm fine Pa" I assured him. I could see the relief in my father's eyes as he pulls me into a warm embrace. The boys walk into the hose leaving me and Pa sometime alone.
After a moment Pa pulls away from me. "Adam told me everything" I told him.
"I'm not gonna let anything or anyone tear us apart. You're my daughter my baby girl and I'm so very proud of you" he tells me his voice full of pride.
"Don't worry about Martha I promise I'll take care of everything" he said. "I'm scare to leave you and the boys Papa. You are all I have" I told him.
Pa touches my cheek and I look up at him. "The boys and I aren't let that happen. Even if it does it won't change how much we love you". I nod my head "I know Papa I love you too".
Pa hugs me again just as tight and warm as before.