A Leap of faith

two

Annie hugged Agatha tightly, feeling a warmth and comfort she hadn't expected. "Thank you for talking with me. You are truly a Godsend."

Agatha kissed Annie's cheek, her expression filled with kindness. "All will be well, my dear. Remember, you have the strength within you to face whatever comes next. I gave you the address to write if you ever feel inclined. Now go off and get started on the next part of your journey."

With a grateful smile, Annie grasped the handle of her worn suitcase and carefully stepped down the train steps, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The waiting stagecoach loomed ahead, its sturdy frame a stark reminder that the next leg of her journey would be more rugged. Montana was not quite as developed as Boston; it promised a wildness that both thrilled and intimidated her.

As she approached the coach, the driver tipped his hat, and she felt the weight of her decision settle on her shoulders. With one last glance back at Agatha, Annie steeled herself for the unknown, determined to embrace the challenges ahead.

Buck.

You sure?" Buck asked the post lady, a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. "I should have a letter."

"I'm sorry, Mister Lincoln," she said apologetically, her gaze sympathetic. "There's no mail for you today."

Buck grit his teeth, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Maybe I scared her off with all that talk of marriage. His mind raced with possibilities, each one darker than the last.

But the post lady interrupted his inner monologue. "There is a chance your letter will be on the stage, sir. It's due in about twenty minutes or so," she added, a sweet smile gracing her face.

Buck tipped his hat, feeling a flicker of hope. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll wait then."

As he settled onto a nearby bench, he glanced at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily by. The anticipation of Annie's letter was almost unbearable. Would she be on her way? Did she have doubts?

"Stage is a-comin'!" someone shouted, jolting Buck from the short nap he had accidentally taken.

He pushed his Stetson further up on his head and stretched his long limbs, shaking off the grogginess. The stagecoach pulled into town, the powerful horses' backs glistening with sweat as they heaved to a stop.

"Mail!" the man atop the carriage yelled, tossing a heavy bag to the ground with a thud.

Buck stood aside, waiting for the bag to be picked up and sorted, when a figure caught his eye. A woman, almost familiar, gracefully exited the coach and looked around in wonder. Their eyes briefly met, and she smiled at him, a radiant expression that lit up her face.

Her long brunette hair cascaded down her back, catching the sunlight, and her large green eyes sparkled with life and curiosity. Buck felt a rush of warmth at the sight of her.

"Excuse me, sir?" her angelic voice interrupted his admiration, pulling him from his reverie.

What can I do for ya, miss?" Buck asked kindly, his voice warm against the backdrop of bustling town life.

She held up a letter, her hands trembling slightly, as if the weight of her journey rested upon them. "I'm to meet a man here. He doesn't know I'm coming," she admitted, pausing to collect her thoughts. "Well, he asked me to come, but I didn't send a letter, so he doesn't know I'll be here today. Do you, by chance, know him?"

Hope surged in Buck's chest, a fluttering sensation he hadn't felt in a long time. Could this beautiful woman, with her wide green eyes and sun-kissed hair, be the bride he had been waiting for?