Riata

CHAPTER 1


     Riata signed the letter: As always, your grand daughter, Ria. She quickly folded the paper, put it in the envelope, and walked to the post office. The Chicago air was stuffy and Riata had to concentrate on relaxing so as not the be overtaken by claustrophobia.

     "Good morning, Miss Shane." Mrs. Harrison greeted as Riata entered the post office. Mrs. Harrison had frizzy, grey hair and a rather red face. She was tall and thin, and there was no evidence of her once being a comely youth. For a moment, Riata wondered at the woman's past.
     "Good morning Mrs. Harrison," She replied, handing her the letter, "how is Mr. Harrison?"
     "Not well. I won't be surprised if he's dead by Sunday." She said flatly.
     Riata almost wanted to laugh at the old crow's brash manner, "I am sorry." Riata said, and it was true; she liked Mr. Harrison, he was a kind man.

     "I hear you're moving out west." Mrs. Harrison stated as she eyed Riata. It didn't surprise her that the news had gotten around; gossip spread like wildfire.
     "Yes," She said, trying not to smile at the woman's expression and care in her affairs, "I'm going to live with my grandparents; mother's parents."
     "Hmph! It's a foolish idea if you ask me. Those folks out west are heathens . . . and you'll break your back with all the hard work."

     Raita smiled knowingly; most easterners she knew thought the same as Mrs. Harrison, "Have a nice day Mrs. Harrison, please tell Mr. Harrison I say hello and wish him well." She turned and walked out into the August morning.


     Julia Harrison watched Riata Shane leave her post office, "Sassy little thing," She mumbled to herself, "I'll miss her."
     To her neighbors and acquaintances, Riata was an odd duck; a beautiful, unpredictable, odd duck. She didn't have friends like the other girls around, and she had this glow and a smile that made one think she knew something they didn't. Julia Harrison secretly loved the girl for her uniqueness. She shook her head and chuckled, and when she looked up Guy Stone, who had just come in, was looking at her in a puzzled manner. Julia immediately wiped the smiled off her faced and scowled; she must keep in tact her reputation of being a grouchy old cat.

     Later that week at supper, the tension in the air caused very little conversation. Riata took a deep breath and prepared herself for another futile argument.
     "I'm scheduled to leave on the Thursday afternoon train two weeks from know." She bravely stated, looking up at her inexhaustibly proper parents.
     "Riata, you know your mother and I don't feel good about this." Her father sternly said.
     "Sweety pie, you're so young--" Her mother began but was interrupted by Riata's, "I'm nineteen, Mother." Her mother continued, undaunted, "The west is wild and dangerous, and the cattle rustlers are a big problem out there. I know you're looking for adventure, sweety pie, but . . . you just don't know what you truly want yet. Beside, I lived there until I was seventeen, and quite frankly, I hated it. I just don't want you to be hurt or disappointed, sweety pie."

     She was irritated with her mother's obsession with the endearment 'sweety pie'. Her parents had come up with every excuse and reason to try and convince her not to go, but Riata Shane was a woman of incredibly strong will--a trait she had inherited from her grandmother, Lotty Simon--and once she made up her mind, there was no use in arguing with her.

     Riata said nothing; she would listen and endure her parents pathetic efforts. She looked at her sister then. Josephine Shane sat, elegantly picking at her food. She was seventeen and quite the opposite of her older sister. She loved the city, thrived on it, when Riata couldn't stand it. She had beautiful, caramel colored hair that was void of the wild curl that dominated Riata's cinnamon mane. She was absolutely lovely, and had more suitors than she could keep track of. Yet, most opposite of all, Josephine was proud and judgmental. Even still, Riata loved her, along with her parents.

     Riata took another deep breath and turned her attention to her mother and father, who had been rambling on while she'd been studying her sister.
     "I will be leaving two weeks hence. If any of you wish to see me off, I will be boarding the two o'clock train," She pushed her chair back and stood, "I love you all very much, goodnight."
     She left, her parents sitting disappointed, her sister proud and indifferent, and her plate of food looking lame and forlorn at the edge of the table. 
 


     The next two weeks were awkward and uncomfortable for everyone in the Shane household. Riata was filled with great relief as the train pulled up before her. She turned to face her family; oh, how she did not fit in it! She kissed her mother and father's cheeks, ignoring the chagrin on their faces, and hugged Josephine, who for the first time look the slightest bit melancholy at Riata's leaving.
     She stared out the window as he train station grew smaller and smaller, when she could not longer see it, she turned away and relaxed into the seat. This is the right thing, She reassured herself, and she knew it was true.

CHAPTER 2

     Lotty Simon ran her fingers over the delicate writing on the envelope: Grandma and Grandpa Simon.
     "It's from Riata." She smiled; she knew her grand daughters script.
     "Little Ria," Matthew shook his head as, "'miss that girl, she hasn't been to see us in years; since before Royal moved in."
     "You know Jonathan and Rayma don't like it here; Ria would come to visit more often if her parents would allow."
     "I know." Matthew grumbled as he put the new bag of sugar on he table.

     Lotty quickly opened the letter and began to read, "Dearest Grandma and Grandpa--" She read. Royal Gilbert walked through the front door then, the delicious evening air following him in.
     "Hi there Royal, we're just about to read Riata's letter, come sit down." The grey-haired woman chirped.
     Royal Gilbert was the foreman at Simon Ranch. He'd been taken in by Lotty and Matthew four years earlier, and had heard them speak of their granddaughter, Riata, many a time. He went and took a seat next to Matthew as Lotty began to read again.

     "Dearest Grandma and Grandpa, I miss you both more than words can say. Mother, Father, and Josephine are doing well. I have a wretched story to tell you when I arrive. I'm coming to live with you, at Simon Ranch. I can't stand it here any longer! It's suffocating me. I do not fit in here; I feel like a trout out of water. Are you positive I wasn't adopted? By the time you are reading this I will be on my way to you. If you do not wish to have me, then you will just have to get over it and have me anyway. Mother and Father are quite disappointed in me and Heaven knows what Josephine thinks (she is so silent and proud), but I care not! I'm coming home, for I truly believe I was meant for the west. I can hardly wait to see you both! As always, your granddaughter, Ria." Lotty finished with a beaming smile.
     "Oh, Matthew! She's coming! She's coming!" Matthew was fairly glowing.

     Royal found the letter to be entertaining, this Riata seemed to be quite the character. He was undaunted at the news of her coming to the ranch, he had never been one to be distracted by females.
     "I think I'll head to bed now." He said, and left the elderly couple to their excited planning.


     Riata chewed her lip as the train pulled into