CHAPTER 2: A FRIENDLY FACE
When Charlotte awoke the next day from her peaceful sleep, she was instantly met by a ray of early morning sunshine. She softly groaned before sitting up to throw the bedcovers off her body. As she got out of bed and let her bare feet touch the cool wooden floor beneath her, Charlotte couldn't help but shiver softly in her shift,
"It's chilly today…"
Swiftly making her way over to her wardrobe on the other side of her bedroom, she rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a gown of forest green before she started on the task of getting dressed.
Once her corset and petticoats were on, she slid the gown over her head, stuck her arms through its sleeves and tightly laced up the back of the dress with accomplished fingers. Properly clothed now with a pair of dainty slippers on her feet, Charlotte neatly braided her long, strawberry blonde hair over one shoulder and tied it off with simple black ribbon.
Then with a soft sigh of satisfaction, she gracefully exited her bedroom and headed to the front door which was still bolted from the night before. After sliding the bolt out of the latch, Charlotte pulled open the wooden door and was greeted by a cool morning breeze.
The crisp air was fragrant with the sweet scent of apples and spice. Stepping outside, a small smile came to her face; the sky was blue, the sun shining with a slight breeze-she could already tell that today was going to be a beautiful day as she started walking into town.
The young woman, who was swiftly passing the Blacksmith and coming up on the old church, paused for a moment in her steps when a friendly voice called her name.
"Ah, good morning Miss Charlotte, you're up early."
Charlotte turned about to see a middle aged woman walking up to her; she instantly recognized who it was and gave her a smile in return.
"Morning Mrs. Adams. How are you today?" Charlotte asked politely. Mrs. Adams was nearly ten years her senior, but since day one she had always made sure Charlotte felt welcomed in town.
"Very well, thank you. I'm just on my way to the church for some morning prayers. Where are you off to at such an early hour?" the older woman asked curiously.
Charlotte thought for a few seconds before shrugging her shoulders,
"I'm not really certain actually. I just thought to take a walk around and see a bit more of the town." she answered.
"Mmm that's completely understandable." Mrs. Adams stated with a soft nod, "How are you liking our little town of Sleepy Hollow so far?" she asked as she and Charlotte continued on with their walk side by side.
"Well..." she began, hesitating for a moment as she recalled the incident that happened the night before, "...it certainly has a unique and unexplainable quality about it." she answered lightly; a soft laugh came out of Mrs. Adams,
"Yes, I suppose it does, doesn't it?" Mrs. Adams chuckled again before she took on a serious tone, "I won't lie to you Charlotte, strange things are known to happen in this place."
Charlotte was instantly reminded of the story she was told about the previous evening.
"You mean things like headless ghost riders riding about in the woods?" the younger woman teased good-naturedly. Mrs. Adams gave her a knowing smile,
"I see you were already informed about the Headless Horseman." Mrs. Adams stated while looking straight ahead as they now approached the front of the church,
"Just last night." Charlotte answered, "The people of this town seem to take this 'Horseman' fellow very seriously." Mrs. Adams came to a quick halt and turned toward Charlotte,
"You do not?" she asked curiously. Charlotte stopped too and faced the older woman,
"Should I?"
"It would be wise to." Mrs. Adams answered.
"How so?" she asked before continuing on, "...the whole idea of a...bloodthirsty, headless rider seems a bit surreal for my tastes." Charlotte confessed. Mrs. Adams once again gave nod,
"It's reasonable that you feel that way. I couldn't believe the idea myself when it all started three years back."
Charlotte's eyes widened softly at her words; Mrs. Adams noticed this and continued on, "Yes it's a true story Charlotte. Trust me, I saw the Horseman myself."
"You saw him?" Now Charlotte was curious.
Mrs. Adams nodded again, "Mmhmm. As clearly as I see you."
"Well what happened?" Charlotte asked. Mrs. Adams gave her a tiny smile,
"Tell you what, why not after prayer, you join me at my house for a cup of tea and I'll tell you everything you need to know.
At the suggestion, Charlotte perked up, "Deal." she answered brightly.
"Good. Now I shouldn't be long...ten minutes at most so why don't you go ahead and finish your exploring." The older woman jested with a playful light in her eyes causing Charlotte to laugh.
"Sounds perfect." she stated cheerfully.
Charlotte and Mrs. Adams walked up to the opening in the white fence that surrounded the church. That's where Charlotte stopped and watched as Mrs. Adams stylishly continued on up and entered the old church building.
Not knowing what to do now with the short, free time that she had, the young woman decided to walk around the perimeter of the hallowed grounds, taking time to note all the details big and small; such as the building's structure to all the random wild flowers that were blooming in the grass.
The ten minutes went on by. Right as Charlotte came back around from walking behind the church, there was Mrs. Adams coming out of its doors, making her way over to where she was.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, Charlotte." Mrs. Adams stated apologetically. Charlotte gave the woman a comforting smile,
"Not at all." she replied.
"Well then, shall we head on back to my place for a nice cup of tea?" Mrs. Adams asked as she linked her arm with Charlotte's as though they were life-long friends.
"Why not?" Charlotte answered as she and the older woman walked side by side away from the church back into town.