The Preachers Daughter

Chapter One

"Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I was once lost, but now I'm found;

Was blind, but now I see-"

The door opening stopped us from singing, and i was in front of the choir, getting a good view of the man that came in. He stood there, the bright light behind him made it almost impossible to see his face, all i saw was a black suit. I watched him as he sat at the back, behind a large woman, his face was grim. He didn't want to be in the eyes of God.

The choir continued from where we left off, i sung but my mind was else where as i thought about this stranger. He didn't smile nor did he participate in the mass. He didn't stand when my father, the preacher, was giving the holy bread and wine. He sat motionless. I tried to focus but my mind kept wondering what he looked like, since i was blinded by the light when he walked in.

When the mass ended i went to the back of the church, to change out of the black robe and put it away.

"Whitney, dear-" My grandmothers voice caught me off guard.

"Yes nana?"

"What's going on? You seemed distant throughtout the whole mass! That's very unlike you darlin'." Her southern accent and pastel church clothes calmed me.

"Who was that man nana? The one that came in durin' the ceremony?" I asked her.

"That man! He gets my blood boilin', we owe his family money. He's probably here to threaten us again. That family has some nerve. We give all we have back and it's not that much i mean they're filthy rich! They shouldne even-"

"Nana! Calm down, please?" I begged, her fists were clenched, knuckles turning white as her face turned red.

"I gotta go darlin', stop by for tea soon. That pesky old man's probably looking for me. I don't know why i stayed with him for 53 odd years!" She mumbled while walking out the door, i chuckled.

"See ya' nan" I walked out after her, turning down the corrider to my fathers' office. I heard a muffled argument from outside the door. I burst in the see the back of the man in the black suits' head. His hands on my fathers desk. My father looked so worried.

"Papa, what's going on here? Why is this man in here?"

"It's nothing darlin, It's just some business i have to take care of." My papa said softly to me, looking me into my eyes. I knew he wasn't okay and this man here is the cause of it. That got my blood boiling. I was glaring at the back of this mans' head, challenging him to turn and look at me so i can see if this man is a treat to my father.

"Mr. Piece, may we discuss this back at the ranch, i must take my daughter home."

"I'll meet you there Mr. Dawson, so we may talk of this matter in more detail." His deep voice did something to me that i couldn't quite explain, but as he turned around, his eyes left me speechless. His eyes, were green, so light, it reminded me of the field i ride to in spring. I moved aside as he passed me by the door frame. My breathing hitched when he went past, his cologne pinning me in place.

His face was perfection, Mr. Pierce... But then i remembered what he was doing to my family and rage filled me again. How could he do this to my family. This man does not deserve my kindness of admiration.

"Let's go darlin'." I nod in response to my father, following him out to his beat up old pick up truck. We passed tree after tree before turning into my families dirt road. The old letter box by the road reading '102' . We passed some fields before reaching our old white house, the only thing new here was the fancy looking sports car outside.

"Go inside and put on the kettle. I have to go to the barn for a minute." My father spoke, gently tossing the keys at me before taking off towards the barn and saying something to that Mr. Pierce man. I knew he was following me to the door, but i stood there quietly, turning the nob and opening the squeaky door.

"So what's your name?" Mr. Pierce asked me.

"None of your business Mr. Now if you'll excuse me i have horses i have to attend to." I hissed at him, walking out to the field and watching the horses run. I do not enjoying his company. He's taking away the home that i grew up in, all my memories with my mom is here. This house is the only way i feel closer to her, that and her white mare in the barn. There were photos of her and I, but i don't remember them as clearly as I'd like to. Papa says i look exactly like her, and that's one thing i cherish.

My mothers white american quarter horse, Beauty spotted me and and trotted over to me.

"Hey," I sighed, "I can't believe this is happening... If we can't get this money, I'm going to lose you. Beauty you make me feel close to her." i put a hand over my mouth as i started sobbing, "How could she leave me when i was so so little... It's just not fair. How can he come here a-and take away our home a-and take away you and Storm and all our horses. I can't." By now i was leaning against her neck and sobbed.

"Darlin' come here." My father whispered, turning me around to hug him. I held my father so tight, afraid i might lose him too. Everything was falling apart now. I needed to hold onto him, because he was one thing i knew that would never leave me.

He lifted me up and brought me inside, placing me on my bed and kissing my forehead as i fell asleep, dreaming about the perfect life, with my mom, dad and no worries except for coming home on time for dinner.

The perfect life... Something I wish for.

The next morning was the same as usual, Papa and I making breakfast and talking about our horses. We weren't as chatty, this man was looming over us, his darkness raining down on us. Our moods dampened.

My father and i go outside, and go our seperate ways, he goes to the shed and i head over to Storm, my black arabian stallion, i take him out and saddle him up. I take him out to the trail. My father doesn't know that i found a field, no one knows. It's my quiet place. I listen to Storms hooves, a slow and steady pattern. I hit my heels against him and he starts running, I hear the wind against my ears, my shoulder length blond hair blowing in the wind. This reminded me of a song, hair blowing in the wind losing track of time, that exact part of Demi Lovatos song, that's how i felt.

As we neared the field i slowed him down and got off. Holding his reins as i walked around the field and trying to remember my mom, my father had no photos of her up at the house. I stayed there to whole day, and finally, when the sun started going down i left, my eyes slightly red from crying.

After putting Storm back in the stable, i head back to the house, the dim outside light, illiminating the familiar red sports car. I automatically lost my appetite at the thought of him. I rush upstairs and into my room, humming myself to sleep. I heard heavy footsteps come inside my room and place a tray down on my bedside table. I fell deeper into my sleep, dreaming about the perfect life again.. Something i just want so much, but i can't have.