BLACKBERRY JUNCTION, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY

June, 1889

Addie Hatfield pushed a dark brown curl out of her eyes, and then threw out another handful of feed for the chickens. The old Dominique rooster, with its bright red comb and long tail feathers, strutted, then pecked at the feed. Addie smiled at the rooster and White leghorn hens clucking as they scratched in the dirt.

She shaded her eyes with her hand and looked toward the pasture. Where were the turkeys? Her mother loved to tend to those silly birds.

Addie's thoughts turned to the stack of books on the end of the kitchen table. She needed to study for the test to be given in the fall. Since the age of thirteen, Addie had wanted to teach school.

The Rock Island train's whistle blasted. Before it died, the sound of a shot echoed across the pasture. Addie scanned the prairie down toward Indian Springs, where the milk cows liked to graze. She shook the last of the chicken feed from her pink gingham apron and glanced at the house.

The afternoon sun draped the length of the front porch like a shawl. Her mother sat in a rocking chair, snapping green beans. A gentle breeze ruffled the collar of her faded blue dress and teased a strand of brown, streaked with gray, out of the twisted knot at the nape of her neck.

Addie hurried across the yard. The fine red dirt swirled, making small whirlwinds at her feet, leaving dust on her shoes. She looked up at the heavens. Would it ever rain again?

She climbed the steps, leaned against a post, and untied her bonnet. She pushed a damp curl away from her face. "The train whistled and I heard a shot. I hope some hunter didn't shoot one of Papa's cows."

Her mother snapped another bean. "Probably someone's shooting at a rattler."

"You're probably right about that."

Mother let her hands drop into her lap. "Say, have you been able to get any studying done?"

"Some. I just hope I'm studying for the right questions."

"Don't go borrowing trouble. Jenny Kay has given you a bushel of help."

Soon after Jenny Kay's family moved to Blackberry Junction, Addie had met her in the church service. When she learned of the new girl's ambition to teach school, they'd become best friends.

Addie pushed away from the post. "She may have some more books I can use." She glanced down at the red hollyhocks in the front of the porch. "I'd better go to the well for water. Those flowers look wilted."

"I'd appreciate that."

As she crossed the yard, Addie's thoughts lingered on her friend. Although Jenny Kay studied for the examination, it was clear Jenny had her bonnet set for a beau.

Papa's main concern for Addie was for her to find a good man to take care of her. He often reminded her of Billy Bob Johnson's standing in the community. His pa owned the only mercantile in Blackberry Junction.

However, Papa and Mother had also talked about Matt Coulter, the town's unmarried sheriff. He seemed polite. They thought he was honest and always treated people with respect. They admired him for attending church services almost every Sunday.

Shaking her head, Addie hurried to the new well. She knew her mother had saved every cent for the pulley and new rope. Last year the neighbors helped Papa dig the well. Everyone breathed a prayer of thanks for the pure sweet water.

She carried the bucket of water to the long porch where the red holly hocks, and pink four-o-clocks had burst into full bloom. She hurriedly poured the cool liquid on the wilting flowers. She chuckled at the humming bird flittering around the honeysuckle vines. A smile stole across her face. The sweet fragrance and the picturesque color reminded her of God in all His glory.

Addie frowned, and then climbed the steps and plopped down in a chair. She untied her bonnet, and fanned it across her face. "The flowers ought to perk up now."

Her mother snapped another bean. "Thanks Honey. It seems like there's never enough hours in the day."

"You're welcome."

Addie's gaze followed the old cow trail. "I guess I'd better go bring in the cows."

Walking toward the pasture, her thoughts gathered around the unmarried sheriff. When Addie closed her eyes, she could remember the blue of his eyes. They seemed to be as bright as a Robin's egg. His blond hair always looked freshly cut. At church he had smiled and tipped his hat. Was he just being friendly or was he truly interested in her?

It seemed as if almost all of the girls in Blackberry Junction were either married or had a steady beau. They wanted to get married and have a house full of babies, but not Addie. How long before folks began calling her a spinster?

She couldn't worry about that now. Perhaps if she could get the cows in and help Mother with supper, there would be a few minutes to study. She retied the strings on her bonnet, and hurried down the worn path toward the pasture. She hoped she wouldn't find a dead cow.

"Wanda, did you know Coronado was the first white man to come to Oklahoma Territory?"

"Moo," Wanda replied.

In the pasture, Addie pretended the cows were her students. They helped her study for the test in the fall.

She turned to Rosie. "Say girl did you know in 1541, Coronado and his band of Spanish soldiers were seeking the Seven Golden Cities? Instead, they found the mountains to the east of us. They named them the Ozarks."

Rosie lifted her head and swished her tail. Addie laughed. "You're some pupils. It time to head for the barn."

A chill spread across her heart. "Where's Nell?" Had the cow been shot?

Relief washed over Addie when she glanced toward Indian springs. She watched Nellie head for the willows. "Drat it! I'd better hurry before the ornery cow gets into the brush."

Pushing the bonnet down on her head, she jerked up the hem of her dress and hurried through the grass. "Come on, Nell."

"Hey Sis!"

With her hand shading her eyes, Addie peered into the distance. Her brother, Bladen ran toward her, with Spot running along beside him. He slid to a stop. "Ma saw a dark cloud in the sky and sent me to help you bring in the cows."

"Nellie won't behave. She's ready to get into a pile of brush."

"Spot and me will shoo her toward the house."

Addie turned around. "Where has your dog gotten off to?"

When Spotty trotted to them, Bladen reached down and patted his dog's head. "What have you dragged in? Look Sis."

With her heart in her throat, she stared at the shiny black boot. A trickle of uneasiness crept up her spine. "Where did you find this, you ornery thing?"

Bladen ran across the pasture. Spot followed him. "Come and look."

Addie gasped. "Mercy!" On the banks of Indian Springs, lay a man. She jumped back, and then kneeled. Hesitantly, she touched his chest. Warm blood bathed her finger.

Beads of perspiration dotted his forehead. Ragged breath fanned her cheek. With a trembling hand, she loosened the black string tie and gingerly lifted the lapel. The sleeve was dark, soggy and bloody. She leaned closer to his chest.

Bladen grabbed his dog, then asked. "Is the man alive?"

"Barely."

The man's eyes fluttered open and Addie caught a glimpse of their color. They looked as if they were almost as black as the bottom of her mother's tea kettle. His fingers tightened on her arm. Startled, she attempted to resist, but he held her firmly.

An angel. When Jake looked up, he thought perhaps he'd died and gone to heaven. A pain shot...