Sophie

"Maddox is mine? No, I can't take him, not possible. Everyone agreed he is rightfully yours." She shook her head emphatically.

"He's yours, it is exactly what Jeremiah would want," Thomas insisted.

"This is so kind of you, but I can't afford to feed him. There is just no way," Sophie said shaking her head.

"Let's work out a deal. I will pay for food and board in exchange you letting me use him for work and to pull the cart when I need him."

"That sounds more than fair to me. What do I do in exchange? You're covering everything."

"Not true, you will be grooming and exercising him. I don't need him often enough to keep him properly exercised and groomed.

Sophie bit her lip hard and looked at Maddox. She wanted him to be hers so badly but she didn't feel right about it either. What use did she have for a horse other than pure pleasure? Thomas could actually use the horse for work purposes.

"Just accept the horse," Jeremiah's voice echoed loudly in her mind. She let out a gasp and took a step backwards grasping a post for support when she heard it.

"What is it?" Thomas asked looking around the room for what startled her.

"Nothing, it's nothing," she said breathlessly. "But, I, I will take him," she agreed quickly.

Thomas grunted in agreement.

"I will hold up my end of the bargain I promise. He will be the best groomed horse in the whole colony. And the happiest. And the healthiest and most exercised. I guarantee it," she assured happily.

"I don't doubt it," he said with a nod. "Well, it's settled then."

He patted Maddox on the butt and led Sophie back out of the stables.

"Where shall I ride?" she asked. "I don't know the area well enough to know what is safe and what is not?"

"I will take you out tomorrow. I need to get some work done today. I will show you what is safe and what is not."

"That would be very kind of you," she said with a smile. She didn't understand this man. He behaved like he liked her, but it was obvious that he didn't want to be with her. She wondered what it was about her that he objected to? Maybe he simply didn't find her attractive. She looked down at the ground. That was a hurtful thought. Rejection was a difficult thing to stomach.

"I will see you tomorrow then," he said and walked back to his shop.

Sophie didn't know where to go or what to do now. She could go back to the governor's house but that sounded dreadful. Noise from the pub caught her attention. That place was always busy, she realized. Did they ever close? She wanted to talk to her friend and see how she was. She slowly walked towards the pub considering each step. Men were never drunk in her presence. She was taught that it was scandalous for a man to behave that way and her parents prohibited her from being around any such behavior. She felt like she was breaking the rules. She stood at the doorway and peered inside. She saw Joane whipping a table down in the back. Sophie hoovered in the doorway until Joane saw her.

"Sophie!" she called. She was smiling. Oh thank goodness, her friend looked happy. "Sophie come in!" Joane said gesturing to a table near the front. Sophie hesitantly walked into the room and took a seat. Joane sat opposite her wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"How are you?" she said excitedly and took her friend's hand.

"I'm wonderful, how are you?"

Joane smiled. "I am good, truly."

Sophie studied her friend's eyes trying to determine if she was speaking the truth or not. She didn't see any deception in her friend's eyes but it was so hard to tell.

"How is marriage treating you?" Sophie asked under her breath.

"Fine," she shrugged. "I mean, he doesn't say much, ever, but I think he is a good man. And I have plenty of work to keep me busy." She motioned to the room.

"Do you mind the work?" Sophie asked.

"Nah," Joane waved a hand. "It's way better than mucking the stalls and milking the cows like I did back home."

"Right," Sophie tried to pretend she knew what she was talking about but she had no idea what that would be like. "It makes me so happy to hear you are doing well."

"What about you Sophie?" she asked kindly. "I see you spending time with the blacksmith. Do you think he will ask you to marry him?"

"No," she scoffed and shook her head. She couldn't tell even her best of friends that she asked him and he rejected her. That would be mortifying. "No, we are just friends."

"Willard?" Joane asked, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"No, way," Sophie huffed.

"Then who?"

"I don't know," Sophie said with a shrug. Is it truly necessary to marry?"

"What other choice do you have?" Joane asked with a worried face.

"I don't know, I'm open to suggestions though."

"Have you met John Royce?"

Sophie shook her head.

"He was in here yesterday. He owns land outside of town. He seems nice."

Sophie tried not to react. She thought she would probably not want to be with anyone who frequented a pub but perhaps if she illuminated that option maybe it would leave her with no options.

"Okay, I will try and make introductions with him," she nodded. "Who else?"

"James Fredrick and Anthony Froam," she said in a whisper nodding to two gentlemen across the room. Their hair was long and greasy and she thought she could see actual bugs running through their teeth.

"Uh, pass," she shuttered.

"I will keep thinking about it," she said, her eyes still on the men. "There really aren't a lot of options," she sighed. "I feel pretty lucky with Lenoard."

"Yeah," Sophie breathed. "How long do you think I can go without being married?"

Joane looked Sophie up and down once. "With the mourning clothing, I give you a max of 6 weeks before Frida completely loses it and kicks you into the street."

"Frida has already had enough of my widow bit," Sophie grumbled.

"It doesn't matter what Frida accepts, it is what the community will accept. She wont toss you out and risk the condemnation of the community."

"How are you so wise Joane?" Sophie marveled.

"We call it street smarts Sophie, their hard lessons to learn and tea isn't served afterwards," she said flatly.

"Right, so if you were in my position, what would you do?"

"If I were you," she rubbed her mouth to consider her words. "I would figure out how to get the blacksmith to marry you."