It was mid-day when Cassandra McKnight and her family arrived in Pikeville, Kentucky. Her brother, Joshua, and her father, Victor, were her only family. Her mother passed away 3 months ago and her father decided that they needed to move on. That's when he told her and her brother that he'd bought the nicest house in Pikeville, Kentucky and they were moving right away. Of course Cassandra and her brother both protested, but their father wouldn't hear any of it.

Now, here they were in a city of dirt roads and oddly dressed people. I wouldn't judge their way of life though. When we finally stopped, we were in front of a general store where there was a couple of men standing outside. One was a rather fat looking man with a big beard and stringy hair. He looked disgusting. Beside him, was a rather attractive tall blonde boy. Attractive as he was though, he had 'pig' written all over him. See, that's a gift I have, I can read a person just by looking at them and know what they're all about. We must be about to go into this store.

"Alright kiddos, we're stopping here to get supplies. I want you two to go and do that for me while I go and buy us another horse. Two won't be enough around here." My father said We were very wealthy because of my father's saw mill in New York. My brother Joshua, was a very young doctor and very good at what he does. He's also a successful lawyer. He studied at Harvard University and passed the bar for both 2 years ago. I wish I was like him, but women don't really work. I was determined to open a bakery in this town though. We got out of the carriage and headed to the general store.

"Well hello there." We were greeted by the smelly fat one. "Haven't seen ya round here before."

"Well, sir, I suppose you wouldn't. We are new around these parts. We just arrived today." Joshua replied.

"Ah, well, nice to meet ya then. My name is Jim Vance and this here's my great nephew, Johnse Hatfield. Where ya'll from?"

"It's good to meet you, too. I'm Dr. Joshua Baltus McKnight, attorney at law. This beautiful lady is my sister Cassandra Romary McKnight. We are from New York." I let Joshua do all the talking. Just then three other men stepped out of the store. A young blonde with two different colored eyes and two older men with short well-kept beards. I felt so out of place, being the only female and wearing a fancy dress from New York.

"Woo this boy's got a mouthful of a name!" Said Jim. "Anse, these two here are from New York."

"Yankees then, I see." said the one called Anse. Then Josh cut in.

"Sir, we would prefer not to be labeled as 'Yankees'. Our family doesn't judge those different from us. We had no part in the war."

"What's your name boy? And your wife's name?" Anse asked.

"Oh, yes, this is my sister Cassandra Romary McKnight and I am Dr. Joshua Baltus McKnight, attorney at law." I didn't see why Joshua felt like he had to tell everyone our whole entire names. It just took way too long.

"Forgive me then for being rude, Joshua and Cassandra. I'm William Anderson Hatfield, you can call me Anse. This here's my son William Anderson Hatfield the 2nd. Everyone calls him Cap though cause of his eye. And this is my brother Ellison Hatfield. Why ya so quiet over there girl?"

"I'm sorry, I was just letting you men talk. As you already know, my name is Cassandra, but you can call me Cassie if you'd like." I smiled and reached out my hand for him to shake.

"That's a pretty name." William or Cap, I guess, said.

I blushed probably 10 shades of red. "Thank you William." I finally said.

"Oh looks like Cap over here is got 'imself a cute little crush." Jim teased. Could I really blush any harder? This was truly embarrassing. William just smirked at Jim and then looked over at me again. Just then my father walked up, thank goodness!

"Hey kids, did ya get that stuff I asked for?" He asked us.

"Oh no, sorry father, we have been standing here talking with some of the locals. They're quite nice." I said.

"Oh well pardon me for being rude. My name is Victor Baltus McKnight." He shook everyone's hands. Him and Anse got caught up in a conversation while Joshua spoke with Ellison. I took my list and excused myself and walked inside the store. I heard footsteps following me and turned to see William standing there and I jumped.

"Hey, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Just thought I'd come help you out, ya know since you're new around here." He explained.

"Thank you, that's very thoughtful of you." I smiled.

"It's no problem. So, how old are you?" He asked as we walked around the store grabbing things from my list.

"I am 17. How old are you?"

"I'm 19, are ya married or anything?"

"No, I'm not. Are you?"

"No, ain't nobody want a man with only one eye." He said. I then turned around to give him a scornful look. "Why ya lookin at me like that for?" he asked.

"Don't say that about yourself, William. You're just as good as any other man, maybe even better. You have to rely on that one eye and all of your other senses, things other men take for granted. You will find yourself a nice suitable woman for you when the time is right. One that don't care about your eye. I think it makes you look tougher, anyway." I explained.

"Wow girl, I hope to find a girl as outspoken as you. Women around here are too obedient. I need me a strong woman." Was it just me, or was he trying to say that he liked me? I decided not to look to deep into it, since I didn't know him very well, anyway.

"I'm sure you'll find a woman like that. It won't be hard for you William, just try."

"Ok then, Cassandra, would you like to join me on election day? I could show ya around and all. They always have a lot of festivities and contests and dancin'." The question had taken me by surprise. I was silent while I thought about it for a moment.

"Alright, William, I'll go with you."

"Would you like for me to pick ya up or do ya wanna meet there?"

"Well, I'm sure my father and brother will want to go, so I will just meet you there." I said with a smile. I was actually really happy about going with William. I wanted to get to know this man, he was so interesting, not to mention he was very attractive. I loved his eyes most of all.

"I s'pose it's a date then, girly. See ya there." He headed toward the shop exit and turned back around. "Oh and by the way Cassie."

"Yes?"

"Just call me Cap." With that he was out the door joining his family in their wagon and they rode away.

So I know that was a kind of crappy start, but I hope ya'll like it. :)