As Adam began to prepare to go home he spotted someone approaching. He wondered who it was and waited for the silhouette to come into focus. Adam smiled as he recognized his best friend, Filip, waving. There was a letter in his hand.
His friend looked excited and Adam wondered what was going on.
“Adam! I thought I would find you out here. How are you getting off?” Filip asked as he looked at his friend. Adam’s clothes were dirty and ripped in various places. It looked like Adam had gotten in a fight with someone and Filip wondered what had happened.
“Eh, hard day. Trying to tame this here bronco, but he is a truly wild one. Won’t let me take one step toward him without charging at me.” Filip chuckled before handing Adam the envelope he had been holding.
“Here. This might cheer you up, chap.” Adam looked at the letter curiously.
“Who’s it from? There’s no return address.” Adam commented as he looked at the envelope closely. His name and address were printed on the middle of the envelope but nothing else. The handwriting looked feminine. Maybe it was another response to his ad.
Adam was single, like many men in the Wild West. There weren’t many women in the New Frontier, which made marriage a difficult thing to accomplish. Adam, however, had posted an ad in the Pennsylvania Post, telling women a little about himself, his interests, his likes and dislikes, and a few other things. If women were interested in potentially marrying him, they could contact him. Recently, he had received numerous responses but none of them had piqued his interest.
He wondered if this letter would be different.
Chapter 2
Adam walked home with the letter in his hand. For some reason, there was a feeling of hope coursing through his veins. He felt like maybe this was the one.
But Adam refrained from opening the letter until he got home. Once he did, he sat down at the kitchen table. He pulled out his pocket knife and slowly opened up the envelope, careful not to rip whatever was inside. With calloused fingers, he pulled out the neatly folded piece of paper. As he did, a photo fluttered to the ground.
Adam bent down and picked it up. He turned it over and looked at it. As he did, his heart sped up in his chest. Depicted in the photo was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. Her eyes were dark and intelligent and her skin looked fair. However, her most attractive feature was her hair. It was as black as a crow’s feather and shone with a healthy glow as it flowed down her body and rested at her waist. Adam wanted to run his hands through her hair as he looked down at her picture.
He smiled to himself before placing the photo on the kitchen table. He then shifted his attention to the letter. He finished unfolding it and looked down at the neat handwriting filling the page. He read the letter and smiled. His heart was beating fast, filling his chest with an unknown emotion. Was this love at first sight?
Excited, Adam sat down and penned a response.
Dear Katherine Summers,
Let me start by saying that you are a very beautiful young woman. Your Native American heritage gives you a beauty I have never seen in any other woman. I especially love your hair. I hope you don’t find these comments too blunt. Please don’t think me rude for saying these things. I just speak the truth. You are a beautiful woman.
Also, I want to tell you that I am interested in communicating with you in the long term. I wish to learn more about you. What do you like to do? What are some of your talents? Do you have any siblings? What of your parents? What are their thoughts about you responding to my ad? I would love to learn anything you want to share with me. Do not feel obliged to respond, but I would be honored if you did. I hope to hear from you soon.
With Love,
Adam Richards
Adam looked over his letter. He ended up revising it heavily. He felt like he was being too forward with her. Adam didn’t want to scare her away and eventually rewrote the whole letter. His new letter took on a polite and formal tone.
After Adam sent off his response, he and Katherine stayed in contact for over a year. Once the holiday season approached Adam felt ready to make the big move. He didn’t want to spend another Christmas alone, and so he decided to ask for Katherine’s hand in marriage.
Adam was very nervous as he penned his proposal, but after many failed attempts he managed to write something he felt proud of. He looked over the letter one more time, checking for any mistakes that could make him look like a fool. Satisfied that there were none to be found he folded up the letter and placed it inside an envelope. He sealed it off as if sealing off his own fate. He wondered how Katherine would respond to the proposal. In his heart, he knew he wanted her to say yes, but in his mind he still harbored doubts. Why would a beautiful, sophisticated woman like Katherine settle for a rowdy cowboy like himself?
Adam thought about things as he made his way to the post. After a brisk walk, he arrived his destination. He opened the door to find Filip at the counter, dealing with another citizen of the town. Adam patiently waited for his turn, shaking with excitement.
As the older woman left the post, Filip smiled at his friend. “How may I help you, old chap?” he asked, noting Adam’s eager state.
Adam handed Filip the envelope. Filip looked down at it and smirked, seeing Katherine Summers’ address on the middle of the envelope.
“Are you finally asking for her hand in marriage?” Filip asked, teasingly. Adam nodded, a smile painted on his face. Filip’s eyes grew wide. He didn’t think his friend would say yes.
“That there is my proposal letter.” Adam pointed to the envelope. Filip looked genuinely surprised as he looked from the letter to his friend and back to the letter. Filip slowly picked up the envelope, looking at it closely, as if trying to find something.
“Are you sure you want to do that? Isn’t she one of those redskins?” Filip asked, putting it down.
“She is, but why does that matter? She has a white father.” Adam answered, concern in his voice.
“But she looks like a redskin and you know how people around these parts can be. They might treat her cruelly, y’know?” Adam thought about his friend’s words before shaking his head.
“I am marrying her during the Christmas season. They’ll be more accepting then,” Adam said, trying to convince himself. Filip shrugged.
“If you say so, chap. But don’t come complaining to me if she scalps you in your sleep!” Adam glared at Filip, who just laughed. “I’ll get it to her as soon as I can,” Filip finally said, taking the envelope and putting it in a bin. Adam looked at it, knowing it would be in Pennsylvania soon enough.
Chapter 3
A few weeks later the letter arrived at its destination. Katherine held it to her bosom. Her heart was beating fast. Her every nerve seemed to be charged with electricity as she smiled to herself. After more than a year of exchanging letters, he had proposed to her. She looked down at the letter and read it one more time, just to make sure it was real.
Once she was satisfied that she wasn’t dreaming, she left her room in search of her father. He was in the sitting room smoking one of his cigars as he read the newspaper. She walked up to him now with a beaming smile.
“Father, I have good news to share with you.” Her father looked up, his newspaper still in his hands and his cigar still on his lips. He could see the excited look on his daughter’s face. He wondered what was going on.
He took a moment to fold up his newspaper before placing it on a nearby table. He then snuffed his cigar. With these tasks accomplished, he gave his daughter his full attention.
“Yes, my dear?” His voice was calm as he folded his hands over his right knee, looking at her over the brim of his reading glasses.
“Do you remember Mr. Richards? The man I told you about?” Her father nodded his head. The smile on Katherine’s face deepened. She handed her father the letter and waited for him to read it.
“Mr. Richards wants to marry you, eh?” he asked, putting down the letter. There was a dissatisfied look on h
is face as he stood up. He looked at his daughter before picking up the newspaper. “Have you read the news lately?” Katherine shook her head. She didn’t like reading the news.
“Well, if you had, you would have seen this…” His voice trailed off as he looked through the newspaper. Katherine watched him, wondering what he was talking about. Finally he stopped fumbling with the pages and handed her the newspaper. She looked at it curiously before reading the headline: 88 Americans and 178 Redskins Dead in Santa Fe. Katherine’s eyes grew large as she read the story.
“The New Frontier is not kind to Native Americans.” Her father said in warning. Katherine thought about this for a moment.
“I think I am willing to take my chances.” Her father nodded, a small grin on his face. His daughter was just as courageous and adventurous as her mother.
“If that is your decision, then I will support you.” Katherine hugged her father in gratitude.
Soon enough, he was waving at his daughter as the train rolled away, making its way to Texas. Katherine felt the train gaining speed. She was on her way to a new life.
Chapter 4
Katherine’s train arrived early at its destination. She stepped off the platform and looked around. The train station was empty. It was still early.
Katherine spotted a nearby bench and sat down. As she did, she looked around, noticing the Christmas decorations pinned around the station. There were wreaths on most of the posts and a giant Christmas tree in the center of the platform. The hot Texas sun shone against the ornaments, making them sparkle like tiny suns. Katherine noticed this and smiled.
She had left Pennsylvania with snow but now in Texas she barely needed a coat. She liked this new warmth. So she leaned back and allowed her dark hair to soak up the sun’s rays. Her hair shone like silk as the sun danced upon its luxurious strands. Most women hid their hair in bonnets, but Katherine had never owned a bonnet. Her mother had taught her to be proud of her Native American hair, to show it off to the world.
Katherine closed her eyes now, as thoughts of her mother flooded into her mind. Growing up, her mother had been her best friend. They used to play games together, cook together; essentially they did everything together. When Katherine was thirteen her mother had died of the flu. Katherine missed her mother every day, but she knew that somewhere her mother was proud of her and the woman she had become.
While Katherine was preoccupied with thoughts of her mother, she did not notice her new husband climbing the platform steps. He looked around and spotted a woman sitting on a bench. He couldn’t see her face but when he saw her long black hair shining in the midday sun, he knew it was her. He suddenly felt nervous.
Adam froze in place. Charger, the wild bronco, that he had yet to tame, seemed easier to approach at this point. It felt like his feet were glued to the platform. He gulped as he tried to urge his body to move. It refused to listen to him.
As he stood there, Katherine looked up and saw him. A smile spread across her face as she saw her husband for the first time. He was even more handsome in person, with his rugged face and beautiful blue eyes. She quickly walked up to him with an aura of confidence wrapped around her.
He looked at her and this confidence seemed to transfer over to him. He felt calmer as she approached him. “Mr. Richards?” she asked with a sweet voice. Adam could feel his heart pound in his chest at the sound of her melodic voice. He smiled and nodded.
“Mrs. Richards?” he asked with a playful tone. She giggled, her cheeks coloring a bit. She looked at him with bright eyes and nodded.
“That would be me,” she said.
“Shall we make it official then?” Adam’s voice was filled with excitement as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a ring. It sparkled in the sunlight as he placed it on her finger. She smiled, looking at it.
“I’m glad it fits,” he said. It looked perfect. He prayed she would never take it off.
“I am too. Thank you.” Katherine answered, politely. The two of them smiled at each other for a moment. Adam then took his wife’s hand and led her down the platform steps.
“If you are to be my wife, then I think you should meet all of my children.” Katherine’s eyes grew in surprise. This man had children?
Chapter 5
Soon they were riding into the fields together. Katherine had never ridden a horse before. She felt a rush of freedom surge through her body as the wind whipped against her face. She wrapped her arms around Adam, feeling safe. Instantly, she fell in love with the horses.
“Close your eyes,” Adam said, looking back at his wife. She nodded, a giggle erupting from her lips as she closed her eyes obediently. Once he was sure her eyes were closed he urged his horse into a trot. Katherine could feel her hair extend behind her, flying freely. She pressed herself closer to her husband, tightening her arms around him. Adam smiled.
They rode a little further before stopping. They were in front of the horse pens now. “Okay, open your eyes.” Katherine did so eagerly. She gasped suddenly when she saw about thirty horses trotting around in a huge enclosure. There were many different kinds of horses, white, black, brown, and gray. Katherine stared at them, fascinated. Suddenly, her eye caught sight of a brown and white horse all by itself in a separate pen.
“Why is that horse all by itself?” She asked. Adam smiled a bit.
“That’s Charger. He is a wild bronco that I am trying to tame, but he is giving me a hard time.” Katherine looked at the beautiful horse. She wanted to get a better look.
“Can we get closer?” Adam nodded, urging his horse to Charger’s pen. When they were close enough he got off and helped his wife dismount. Holding hands, they approached the fence.
“Be careful… he’s called Charger for a reason.” Katherine moved with a cautious foot. The horse looked at her curiously.
“He’s beautiful,” she said. Adam nodded.
“He is, but what good is he if no one can ride him?” Katherine frowned at his question.
“Do you think he is untamable?” she asked, looking at the beast again. The horse snorted at her before walking away, losing interest.
“I wouldn’t say that, but it will take a lot of hard work on my part. I won’t give up on him.” Katherine smiled at her husband. She could tell he was an honest, hard-working man and she liked that about him. As she looked at him, she could see the compassion in his eyes. These animals were not just his livelihood. They were, in fact, his children. She squeezed his hand, trying to get his attention.
He looked down at her with a smile. In that moment, he was struck by her beauty. Her darker skin gave her an exotic look and her hair framed her face, giving her an innocent but sophisticated demeanor. He looked at her lips, pink and supple. He wondered what they would feel like pressed against his.
As Adam tried to suppress these thoughts, the same thoughts ran through Katherine’s mind. She wanted to kiss him. They were husband and wife now, why shouldn’t they kiss? With this thought in mind, Katherine moved onto her tip toes, bringing their faces closer together. Their eyes locked. Adam felt himself getting closer and closer to her lips.
Before he knew what was going on his hands were on her cheeks, gently guiding her face closer to his. He finally closed the gap between them before kissing her lips for the first time. Sparks seemed to fly between their virgins lips and they both smiled as they pulled away. Katherine’s face glowed as she squeezed her husband’s hand.
“I think I will like my new life…here… with you.” Katherine admitted as she blushed lightly.
Adam smiled at his wife as she said these words. He was glad she seemed happy, but she had yet to see the town. Filip’s words of warning ran through Adam’s mind. He hoped the townsfolk would accept her.
“I’m happy to hear that. Shall I show you the town then?” he asked. She nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She was eager to see her new home. Adam smiled at her before helping her onto his horse. As she sat on the beast she couldn’t help looking at Charg
er. He looked so alone in his separate pen. She hoped that Adam would tame him soon and that he would be able to join the other horses.
Chapter 6
The couple rode into town on Adam’s horse. It was a pleasant ride. Katherine had wrapped her arms around her husband, making their bodies touch. This had made Adam blush, but he liked the feeling of her slender figure pressed against his back. Katherine enjoyed the feeling of his warmth against her cheek as she laid her head on his back.
Finally, however, they had to dismount and separate from their embrace. Adam helped Katherine off the horse and smiled at her.
“Soon enough I will teach you how to ride a horse by yourself.” Katherine looked up at him questioningly. She didn’t know if he was being serious.
“Do you mean that?” she asked. He grinned and nodded.
“If you ask me, the wife of a cowboy should know how to ride.” Katherine giggled and nodded.
“I am willing to learn if you are willing to teach,” she said with a smile on her face. Adam could feel himself falling deeper in love with her as he looked down at her beautiful face.
“I’m glad.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. She blushed a little, becoming shy. He chuckled, seeing her reaction. “Come, let me give you a tour of the town.” Katherine nodded. They started to walk through the town hand in hand, passing all the little shops and homes. As they did, Adam explained each major building as best he could.
Katherine was enjoying herself. She was taking in all the sights and sounds of her new home. It was a quaint little town and she liked it. It felt like home.
However, as they got deeper into the town, they started to hear whispers. As the townsfolk saw Katherine they started to comment on her looks. Some of the women were skeptical of her long black hair. Others questioned the color of her skin. There was suspicion in the air. They wondered who the girl was and why she was with the horse tamer.
AFRICAN AMERICAN URBAN FICTION: BWWM ROMANCE: Billionaire Baby Daddy (Billionaire Secret Baby Pregnancy Romance) (Multicultural & Interracial Romance Short Stories) Page 70
