The ride to the cabin was fun Brian told jokes and Sully pointed out many different types of trees and animals, when I first saw the cabin, I was in awe it was beautiful, to be honest, I have no words to describe it.
"Sully, Brian your home!" a young girl who must have been Colleen shout as she came running toward the wagon. "Oh, you must be Maria I'm Colleen we'll be bunking together while you stay here." The look on her face said she didn't like the idea of having to share her room.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Colleen, I hope you and I can become friends while I'm here," I said reach out to shake her hand she smiled and nodded.
"So, any idea how long you going to be staying with us your letter only said a few weeks but that could mean anywhere to a month or two." Colleen chuckled as she helped me bring my bags up to her room, A small bed had been made ready for me making me smile.
"I'm not sure honestly but if I become too much of a burden please tell me and I look for a place in town to stay." I sighed as I sat on the bed made for me, "Not that I don't appreciate your letting me stay in your room but I know us young women like our privacy." Colleen chuckled as she sat on her bed.
"It's fine at least this time it's another girl instead of a little brother. So, ma says you're an author have you published any books I might have read." Her eyes lit up a little as she talked about books and explained how her favorite author was Jane Austen.
"Sadly, I'm still writing my first book I have a copy of what I have so far if you'd like to read it." I said grabbing my bags a rummaging through them until I pulled out a small stack of paper, "Ah, here it is." I turned to see Colleen looking around her room I had made quite a mess. "Sorry about that here you can read this while I clean up my mess."
"Alright, thanks I hope I like it," Colleen said with a smile as she grabbed the paper and settled back into her bed. I had just put the last of my dresses back in my bag when Sully knocked on the door, Colleen was so absorbed in the book that I had to answer the door.
"I'm head up to the Indian Reservation with Brian, we caught some fish for dinner earlier, Colleen, Maria see ya'll later." Was all he said before heading back downstairs.
After about an hour of just sitting and waiting for Colleen to finish the little bit of my book that was written, I got bored and worried so I started pacing. "I can't concentrate with you pacing like that." Colleen sighed looking up at me. "Why don't you go explore the barn or something please so I can finish this." I sighed and nodded my head she was right I needed to get some air and so I headed out.
After what felt like forever Colleen finally came out to the barn where I was brushing one of the horses and humming. "Ah I see you 've taken a fondness to Flash she's Dr. Mikes horse." Sadly, the sudden sound of her voice caused me to jump scaring poor Flash, we got her calmed down pretty quickly before chuckling slightly. "Sorry for frightening you Maria, I just had to talk with you about Centuries." She gushed as we walked back to the house.
"You hated it right I just feel like something is missing and no matter what I try it just seems like it-"
"Maria, MARIA!" Collen shouted grabbing my shoulders, "Sorry for shouting but you were rambling, I wanted to tell you I love it oh, all the characters are so well thought especially Raydan, and Arthur he so rude but he has just 9the right amount of charm to counteract his rudeness oh I just can't wait to read more of it! You are going to write more right?" She asked a smile appearing on her face as we walked into the house and she handed me the papers which she'd left on the table.
"To be honest I'm not sure it's just so hard for me to write about love when I've never experienced it, I'm glad you like it though maybe one day I'll be able to finish it." I sighed sitting in a chair at the table.
"Never not even a first love?" Colleen asked pulling out a skillet and some oil.
"Nothing more than a crush who never even knew I liked him what are you making?"
"Oh, just some pan-fried fish for dinner why?"
"I was wondering would it be alright if I cooked, I mean to help since I'm taking up space in your room and you've already helped me by reading my book," I asked clasping my hand together causing Colleen to smile.
"Sure but at least tell me what you need."
"Oh, thank you, Colleen!" I said spinning slightly in joy.
Just a little after dark, Brian, Michaela, Sully and someone I had yet to meet yet came walking in just as I pulled out the cornbread to go with the lemongrass fried fish and collard greens.
"Hmm, something sure smells good Colleen." Said the young man I was assuming to be Matthew the last of Michaela's adoptive children.
"That's mighty kind of you to say Matthew but I didn't make it Maria did," Colleen said pointing at me causing me to blush.
"It's the least I could do for you all allowing me to stay here for now," I said as I cut the cornbread.
"She even made a wild berry pie for dessert." Colleen bragged causing me to blush an even darker shade of red.
"Well then let's all eat this delicious looking meal," Michaela said as she sat down at one end of the table.
"I bet it will taste wonderful Maria and just so you know there's no reason to pay us back your like family to Michaela so don't worry," Sully said as he sat at the other end of the table, after everyone else took their seat and grace was said it was a very interesting and informative dinner, I learned that Brian not only liked to invent but also loved to write and draw, Colleen was going to try and go to the same college as Michaela and my mother had gone to and that Matthew was the town's sheriff.
"So, is it dangerous being sheriff Matthew.?" I asked as I cut the pie and giving everyone a slice.
Matthew smiled and shook his head "Not really nah the most I've had happen here is when I tried to pass a law saying that carrying guns in town was against the law. After I accidentally shot Horace."
"Well I'm glad you won that battle guns may not be the worst thing in the world but it's better to be safe than sorry," I said smiling slightly at him, his smile widened and I found myself blushing slightly.
"Wow, this is the best pie ever Maria what's in it!" Brian exclaimed as he scarfed down his piece.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you everything Brian it's a family recipe it's been passed down from mother to daughter for generations and I hope to someday be able to pass it down to my own daughter." I chuckled causing Brian to pout again it was the cutest thing I'd ever seen "Maybe I can make it again tomorrow and you can help me but I can't let you see the last ingredient alright?" Brians' face lit up like a tree around Christmas and before I knew what was happening, I was being tackled by a hug.
"Oh, thank you, Maria!" Brian shouted causing everyone to laugh.
Later that night in Colleen's bedroom I couldn't stop thinking about Matthew when I talked with him words seemed to flow without effort it was like I could talk with him about anything, but the more I thought the more my thoughts turned to Hank and his eyes, they promised danger and adventure. "What's wrong Maria aren't you comfortable," Colleen asked sitting up in her bed.
"I'm fine just not used to the bed yet I'll go to sleep soon." I sighed and tried to get comfortable as I tried to clear my mind of both men.
"Alright then." And with that said the room was silent before long I found myself drifting to sleep.
Next chapter Pens and paper