Chapter 1- Loretta
~Willows~
A warm summer breeze blows through my long dirty blonde hair and I close my eyes, a soft smile playing on my lips. I have always appreciated the summertime. Willow tree branches sway in the distance, just beyond the white picket fence. My mind wanders, admiring how free the tree's leaves are. The loud sound of fingers snapping quickly brings me back to reality.
"Miss Loretta, are you alright?" He asks. I nod, picking up my teacup and taking a small sip. Frank Sulivan, a man my father is ever so eager for me to marry, sits beside me on the chair outside on the wrap around porch. We have had tea every day for the past week, and every day I wish he would get bored of me and find some other woman to bother.
"Miss Loretta, it seems you are struggling to focus. Are you feeling well?" Frank asks. My hazel eyes meet his and I smile, nodding. Frank is not asking me because he cares, he is simply inclining that there is no other reason for me to lose focus aside from being ill.
"Yes, I am fine, thank you. Please continue. I wish to hear more regarding the West." I say, bringing my teacup to my lips. I have grown accustomed to lying to him when it comes to him wishing to show off his knowledge. He smiles, his eyes calculating before talking again. "As I was saying, Miss Loretta," Frank leans forward, reaching for his teacup, "The West should never have become part of this country. It is far too lawless to become anything aside from trouble. In fact, the Earp brothers rode out from Kansas in an attempt to salvage towns. This country is sending all of our best sheriffs out there to their deaths." I sigh, putting my teacup down. "It appears they should be in our prayers, then. Forgive me, Mister Frank, but I do believe our teatime is over." I stand up, walking inside before he tries to stop me.
At dinner, I am sitting at the grand table in our dining room between my two brothers, Will and Rhett. We sit in silence, my father on the end of the table. Silent meals are something I have grown accustomed to after the death of my mother three years ago. I sigh, putting my fork down. "Father, I wish to speak to you." My voice is soft and careful. My father's head snaps up and he nods. "Go on, Loretta." I take a deep breath, my hands tightly gripping my dress under the table. "I no longer want to have tea with Mister Sulivan." I notice the anger in my fathers eyes, and my voice goes quiet. My father stands up from his chair abruptly, throwing his crystal cup against a wall. "Very well, Loretta." He storms off, and my brothers give me disapproving looks. I excuse myself and walk back to my bedroom, trying to hide the shame on my face.
Once in my room, I shut the door and collapse onto my large canopy bed, curling up. I stare out the window, out towards the willow trees, a tear tracing my cheek. Why couldn't I have been born free like those willow trees without the expectation of marrying? My eyes close and I am quickly taken by a dreamless slumber.
