by Dalia Wright
Annie was a bright girl who had taught herself math and reading by the time she was seven. She was taught from an early age that daydreaming and wishes don’t put food on the table or clothes on their backs. This, however, didn’t stop Annie from replaying pieces of a romance novel she had found at her aunt’s cottage. As she wandered amongst the corn fields, the book secretly tucked behind her apron, Annie dreamt of a man who would whisk her off her feet, build a home with her, and nurture her thirst for reading and knowledge. She loved her mother, but she refused to be forced into a kitchen relying on her husband to read her letters from her family.
Annie was a tiny person, standing only a little over four feet tall, with long blonde hair that cascaded down her back. She was plain but had a natural beauty that made the men turn and look when she walked through town. Her mother had taught her general manners so that she wouldn’t stand out so much amongst the richer children in town but she often forgot that climbing trees and talking about slopping pigs wasn’t something that was in her mother’s manner books.
By the time she had reached maturity, she had completely stopped caring about the fashion trends and wore her hair how she liked. Her mother always pushed her to style herself better since she was at the age to find a husband, but eventually, let the conversation go after winning the fight on dresses but losing the battle of hair. Besides, her golden locks brought jealousy even to the grown woman when it gingerly blew with the breeze and shimmered in the sunlight.
The days Annie hated the most were the ones when she had to go in to town; the close buttons around her neck, and the layers of skirts she had to wear made her feel trapped and slower to move. Her mother made all the dresses Annie wore and after three failed attempts at seamstress lessons, Jane let Annie resign herself to farm work instead.
When she was at home, she wore her favorite farming dress with a pretty yellow ribbon her father had gotten her to tie her hair back with while she was working. Annie’s father adored her and when her mother wasn’t looking, he would smile and wink at her defiance, knowing she would eventually find a man that would match her prowess. Annie prayed every night that a man worth her beauty and mind would walk down the mile road to her farm, but every day nothing but dust blew down the street.
The seasons had passed quickly, and Annie was reaching her 18th birthday, an age that all of her friends entered into with a husband by their side and even a baby for some of them. Annie wasn’t in a hurry, and she had made it clear that there would be no arranged marriage for her; she needed to marry for love and not as a requirement. Her parents, well, at least her father, respected her request and wanted Annie to have the best life that they could provide for her.
The summer had begun to creep through, and life on the farm was in full swing already. Most of the fields were alive and thriving, and the animals were happy under Annie’s rule. Annie loved summer nights when she could finish her chores and sit out on the porch in the warm solstice air, dreaming of a life she knew she would have one day. Lately, though, she hadn’t had much quiet on these steadily warming nights with the changes going on in town.
The laws were changing in the Old West and a man named Clanton McShaw had come into town waving his money around. Stories had begun to make their way down to their little farm, and Annie’s father was furious at what the Mayor was allowing this man to do. Greed had crept into the small town of Bradwell and from what the townsfolk were telling Richard, Clanton McShaw was buying property right out from under people’s noses and charging them rent that the Mayor was enforcing. Otherwise, they would be thrown off their land with only their belongings on their backs.
Annie had seen Mr. McShaw the last time she was in town as he was leaving the Mayor's office and making his way over to the Sheriff. He was an older man, somewhere in his early 40s, with a round belly and boots made of some exotic material. His horse looked pained as he saddled it up in the afternoon heat and Annie could remember the sway of the horse’s back when McShaw jumped up on him. The sight of his fat lip packed with tobacco and the air of ignorance he put out left Annie feeling nauseated. He tipped his hat at her as he passed and she hurried off to the blacksmith’s shop to pick up some tools for her father.
When she had gotten home, she told her father all about what she saw, but he met her with a lecture of caution and told her that her judgmental attitude wouldn’t last in his house. Annie was taken aback by her father’s gruff attitude towards her and realized this new man in town was ruffling a few feathers including her generally calm and kind father. Annie decided it was best to put Mr. McShaw and his swayback horse from her mind and focus on more important things, like when she could find time to hide out in the barn and read the next chapter of her book.
Life was just as Annie liked it: quiet, peaceful, and full of her mother’s boisterous laughter. The summer was almost here, and the chill of the spring had already left the air. As the sun sank under the horizon, Annie looked out at the field of dust and the grazing horses, having no idea what type of trouble would be riding down that farm road before the sun had reached its peak the next day.
Chapter One: A Storm is Brewing
Annie woke unusually early this morning because her mother and father were travelling two towns over to look at some trailers that they needed to transport their crops to buyers this year. The season was being especially kind to them, and they hoped to make up for the unbelievably bad crop they had last year. Just like everyone else in the town, the Potters owed debts that needed to be paid off as soon as the season was ripe.
Annie would be staying behind to tend the farm, complete her chores, and have supper ready for her parents when they got home. She loved days like this because she didn’t feel rushed or pressured and she could accomplish things on her own time clock. Plus, she could take her lunch break on the porch and not be afraid of someone catching her reading her romance novel.
The room was dark, and Annie set her lantern on the kitchen table. Her mother had made muffins the night before, and Annie decided to put together a small care package for while they were on the road; her father was always hungry and seemed to get super grumpy when there was nothing to snack on. She carefully wrapped some of the dried meats in brown paper, tossed a couple of apples in the parcel bag, and wrapped three muffins and put them in there as well.
As Annie set the bag on the table, she heard the quiet footsteps of her mother followed by the firm, booted footsteps of her father. It was early, and everyone was drained, but to take care of business, they needed to leave as soon as possible. Annie handed the bag to her mother and kissed her on the cheek. As her father passed, he patted her on the shoulder and pulled on the ponytail she had tied with her yellow ribbon. She smiled at her father with admiration, and she walked her parents out to the horses. They would not be taking a carriage because they may have to bring the trailer back, so they would need the horses free.
Annie wasn’t used to seeing her mother ride a horse, and she giggled to herself as she sat side saddle on the beautiful beast. Annie wondered how her mother would fare riding a horse that far side saddle, but she figured once they were out from under the eyes of the meddling women in the town, she would turn forward and give her poor neck a break from straining. Annie watched as they rode off down the dusty dirt road and she sat back, taking in the morning air. There was a lot to do today, and Annie wanted to make sure it got done before she sat down for lunch, and to read her book.
Feathers flew into the air as Annie entered their pen, ready to collect the eggs that would be breakfast for the next week. As she pulled the eggs from the roost, the chickens squawked around her and she playfully sang to them, which usually calmed them down. However, today was different. There was something in the breeze that even Annie felt and made the animals on the farm restless. She was later than normal with collecting the eggs because she couldn’t get the cows to sit still long enough to milk properly. A strong wind blew across the field, and Annie looked up, still standing in the ch
icken pen.
There were dark clouds filling the sky, and the feeling of a storm crept over Annie quickly. Luckily her outdoor chores ended with the chickens, and the rest would be baking and indoor cleaning. Still, the eerie way the clouds walked across the sky made Annie nervous, and she stepped backwards towards the door of the pen. Not realizing where she was, she tripped over one of the hens, falling back into the door and knocking it wide open.
The chickens clucked loudly as they made a run for the exit, trampling over Annie on the way out. Annie jumped up and shut the gate quickly, locking the majority of the hens in before they could make the great escape. She set the basket of eggs upright and began slowly approaching the escapees. She managed to pick up two of the three chickens slowly and toss them over the gate and back into their pen. The third hen looked at her as Annie looked at it; there was a stare-down going on, and Annie was determined to win. Each time she shifted her feet, the chicken would move quickly in the other direction. As raindrops began to fall, she lunged forward at the chicken, grabbing it by the foot and falling face first into the dust. She held on tightly as the chicken wrestled to be free, but she was able to get ahold of it and toss it back into the pen.
“Not today, chicken, not today,” she said as she brushed her hands over her dress to knock some of the dirt off.
Annie tensed up as she heard clapping and a small chuckle coming from behind her. She swung around quickly to see Mr. McShaw standing at the edge of the house with the Sheriff not far behind him. He had a toothpick sticking out of his mouth and his hands were stuck in the pockets of his vest that wouldn’t close properly because of his enormous belly. Stains from sweat showed around his neckline and she could smell his cheap cologne from where she was standing. Annie tensed up immediately and started to walk towards them, pulling the grass from her hair and straightening her dress.
“Can I help you?” she asked. Mr. McShaw stood quietly for a moment looking at Annie in the same way she imagined he looked at meat at the butcher’s store.
“Well,” he said, as he sucked his tongue against his teeth and took a step towards Annie. “You are quite a lovely little thing. Where is your father? I have some business I would like to speak to him about.”
He looked at the house and across the property as if he were calculating something in his head. Annie began to get irritated and balled her hands into fists underneath her apron. She took a step to the side and started walking towards the front porch.
“He isn’t here. He had to run errands,” Annie said as she sharply turned back around and stared Mr. McShaw in the face. “Though I don’t foresee my father having much interest in any business with you, I will tell him you stopped by.”
“Annie,” the Sheriff said with shock, “I know for sure that your parents taught you better manners than that. As soon as your father gets home, you let him know we will be back in three days, and we have serious business to discuss.”
Annie nodded with a look of anger on her face and darted her eyes towards McShaw as he struggled to mount his poor swayback horse. He tipped his hat and winked at Annie, giving her a nauseated feeling in her stomach. She watched as the two men and their helper, some young guy Annie’s age that she had never seen before, rode off down the farm trail. The sky rumbled above her and even though it was only around noon, the storm had darkened the sky, and it felt like the night was already falling. The clouds loomed overhead, and a feeling of dread struck through Annie’s heart. She knew a visit from McShaw meant trouble in their future, and she wasn’t going to let it take her family’s pride.
Chapter 2: Wild Spirits
The storm raged outside of the house, and Annie did her best to keep her attention poised on cleaning the house and baking the plethora of bread and pastries her mother needed for tomorrow’s town meeting. Annie wasn’t very good at sewing, but when it came to cooking, she put her full attention into it. After the visit from Mr. McShaw and his brood, Annie needed to get her mind on something else. She tried reading her romance novel, but the thought of that fat, round, sweaty man would pop into her head, ruining any thoughts of love and romance she might have.
Right before the evening would start to take hold, the storm slowed down and the setting sun shone an orange glow through the windows of the house. Annie walked out onto the porch, and the sound of dripping water and croaking frogs calmed her nerves. Her parents would have made sure to stay put until the storm had passed so Annie knew not to expect them until dawn. Her thoughts drifted back to the unexpected visitors earlier in the day. What could Mr. McShaw want from them? She was sure there was no way he could have talked the Mayor into buying the land; they had been there since settlement on the town, and their family was respected for that fact.
Annie sighed and walked back into the house, realizing she had spent so much time baking that she had forgotten to eat anything for lunch or dinner. Luckily Annie always made extra bread and sweet rolls for her father so she grabbed a few things on a plate and sat out on the porch enjoying the cool air and the bugless night since the rain had just stopped. She could feel the humidity collecting in the air as the moon shone bright, and Annie knew the mosquitos wouldn’t be far behind. She gathered her things and walked back in the house, grabbing the lantern from the table on her way. It was bedtime for Annie; she would have to get the morning chores done before her parents got back so she planned on getting up before the sun.
As she tucked herself into bed and peered out her bedroom window at the stars, she thought about growing up on this farm. Annie thought about what the farm meant to her family and the town. As her thoughts drove deeper, anger began to gather in her heart and she drifted uneasily to sleep. She tossed and turned with visions of McShaw blowing through her mind and sighed when her eyes met the early dawn light out of her window. With that little bit of sleep, it would be a long day, but she needed to get started because she knew her folks would be there at any time.
Annie went about her morning chores and finished them in record time. Her mind was so preoccupied that by the time she had finished her chores, she looked back in confusion. Annie shrugged, realizing she had been on autopilot, and she began sweeping the dust from the front porch thoughtlessly. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the dust moving along the road and she looked up, hopeful but nervous. As the dark blobs grew closer, she could make out a man and a woman riding on carts pulled by their horses. Annie’s parents were home, and a wave of relief blew over her.
Annie ran out into the yard waving and smiling, a reception that was sure to bring suspicion to her parents since her standard welcome was a wave across the field or a head nod as she shoved food in her mouth after a long day. As they grew closer, Annie could see a concerned look on her father’s face, but he didn’t say anything as he helped Annie’s mother down off the horse. Annie’s mother kissed her on the cheek and walked quietly towards the front door. Her father unhooked the horses and handed Annie the reigns to one of them and motioned for her to walk towards the barn with him.
“What’s going on, Annie?” her father asked as he led the horse into the barn.
“Well,” Annie said with a sigh. “We had visitors yesterday. Mr. McShaw and the Sheriff paid us a visit. They didn’t say what they wanted but told me to tell you they would come back in three days and that they had important business to discuss.” Annie fastened the door shut to the horse’s stable and turned around to look at her father.
Her father’s face beat red, and he began backing his horse toward the barn door. Annie looked at him, confused, and watched silently as he mounted his horse and took off down the road, the red dust kicking up behind him. Annie, stunned by what had just happened, strolled towards the house, watching her father disappear around the corner. Her mother was standing on the porch with two rolls in her hand, a look of confusion on her face. Annie walked over and kissed her on the cheek and took one of the rolls from her hand.
“He said he had something important to take care of,” Annie sa
id as she shrugged and shoved the roll in her mouth so her mother wouldn’t ask her any more questions. There was a reason he took her out to the barn to ask about what was going on; he didn’t like to worry Annie’s mother, and this would be something that worried her.
Annie’s mom rolled her eyes at her full mouth and walked back inside, holding the door to show that she expected Annie to follow. They silently went to work packing the baked goods into bags that she would take to the town hall meeting. Annie always went with her mother to the meeting, and she knew with her father in the city already she wasn’t likely to get out of it this time.
After everything was packed, Annie went upstairs and pulled one of the dresses she had to wear in public out of her small closet. Her mother came in behind her to brush her hair and help her get dressed. She gently washed the dust off of her face as her mother got the tangles out of her hair and then put on her undergarments like she had been taught. Heaven forbid she show a calf in town; the women would all have strokes in the street.
Annie lifted her hands into the air as her mother pulled the dress over her head, buttoned the front and began pulling the strings in the back. There was no breath left in Annie’s lungs when her mother was finished, and she waddled over to the mirror. Though Annie hated these tight, stuffy dresses, this was one of the least terrifying ones in her closet, and her mother liked how the color of it matched her eyes. The dress was a light blue and it buttoned up the front with a hint of lace peeking out all the way up her neck. The hips were full, and it swayed slightly as she walked. Annie smiled sweetly in the mirror as if she were practicing and sighed, turning to her mother.