Follow Your Heart. Gail Odom

      Chapter 1

      She awoke as every morning, with the same feeling of being in a place where she really didn’t want to be. She stretched to awaken, even more, the senses all coming alive. Her thoughts were of the many cowboys that had darkened her door. She saw the many faces going through her mind. To be able to forget each of them would be an answer to her prayers. Each day, she felt like a part of herself is slipping away, making her feel so cheap with each passing day.

      Della shook her head, holding back the tears. Her heart was aching for something more. What did her mother always say? Oh yes, “Follow your heart, Della, follow your heart.”

      Della rose and went to the window. The town of Rosewood, Texas, had already been busy with people going about their daily routines. Della turned. Feeling of loneliness washed over her. Her day had started whether she wants it to or not.

      She had to get dressed and ready for the evening. Another cattle drive had ended. Della went through the motions of brushing her long black hair. The face she saw in the mirror doesn’t look back at all.

      Her mind was far away…a place in a valley, a small house by a stream. She felt happy as she went to the door of the house but stepped back in hast. A shadow filled the doorway—a man, tall and dark. Her heart was racing.

      A knock at her door brought Della out of her dream. It was Nellie Montgomery, the housekeeper, telling her that Miss Nancy wanted her to hurry on down.

      Della laid down her brush, time to go to work, but as her brush hit the table, the Daily News fell to the floor. She reached down to pick up the paper. Her eyes fell on an ad that was on the front of the paper. “Home and land for sale, owners, Tom and Alice Bagwell. The property is located east of town, has a barn and a stream. Contact Jim Langford, lawyer.” Della read it again. Could this be what she was looking for?

      Della had been saving all her money for a long time. Now maybe the dream she had was more than a dream. Was her heart telling her to take this chance? It would mean a new life, a home that would be hers, but most of all, to be free.

      She read the article once again and took a deep breath. Her mind was made up. Once she made the decision, she felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Della looked around the small cramped room that she had called home for way too long. She knew she wouldn’t miss it. She wouldn’t miss any of it.

      Her only dread was to tell Miss Nancy. Miss Nancy Hartford was like a mother to Della. Della didn’t have a contract with Miss Nancy. By chance, things happened. It seemed like only yesterday when Della and her parents rode into town. Her mama was very sick and had to leave the wagon train. Rosewood wasn’t their destination. Della’s parents were not rich and had all their belongings packed in the wagon. Della’s daddy wanted the best for them. He had heard there was land in Texas for the taking, so he packed up his family and headed to Texas.

      The wagon master had left them in the town of Rosewood. The doctor in Rosewood was a lively old gent, who loved his pipe, Dr. Theodore Baker or Doc, as he likes to be called. His office was next door to the Livery Stable that he also owned. When Jane Butterfield came to him on that hot August day, he knew that the fever had already weakened her.

      Dr. Baker had told Della and her daddy that nothing could be done. Her time was short and should be kept comfortable. Dr. Baker told them that Miss Nancy Hartford over at the Desert Rose saloon had a room.

      Jake Butterfield was heartsick about Jane and losing their dream of a new life. Della was only a youngster about ten years old. They knew that the trail had ended for them. Rosewood would be their home for now.

      Dr. Baker took the family over to the Desert Rose. Miss Nancy Hartford was a silver hair lady who has a kind heart and never married. Everyone called her Miss Nancy. She was more than happy to have the Butterfields. She took an instant liking to the family. The room was upstairs above the saloon. It was small but comfortable and would be their home for now.

      Jake Butterfield sold Dr. Baker the team of Clydesdale horses to pay for the room and Dr. Baker’s fee. Life for Della was one day at a time back then. Her mother lay dying, and her daddy was growing sadder by the day.

      Miss Nancy took Della under her wing and made sure