Charlotte and the Tenderfoot

Charlotte and the Tenderfoot

Charlotte Dewhurst leads a full life in Trinity Hill, Texas. But recently, something seems to be missing. Then Charlotte, driving home in her buggy, discovers a man lying by the road. A lawyer, William Montgomery, was passing through the area when accosted by two hoodlums. <br /><br />The resulting court case keeps Will in town, and he seems quite taken with his rescuer. His attitudes are confusing to Charlotte as he seeks her company, yet proclaims he will soon be moving on looking for adventure. But Will may be the most confused one of all.<br /><br />~ Excerpt ~<br />She walked out to her buggy, climbed in, picked up the reins, and made kissing sounds. The obedient horse began to trot. A mile or so down the road, her cluttered mind cleared of the myriad activities of the day, and she began to think about other things. <br /><br />Suddenly, the mare began to jerk on the reins, bringing Charlotte out of her reverie. <br /><br />"Wha…what in the world? Oh, Lord have mercy," she murmured, as she brought the buggy to a stop.<br /><br />A man lay on the side of the road, his legs in the shallow ditch, his head just on the edge face down in the dirt and gravel, with his long arms extended forward. A chestnut gelding grazed calmly nearby. The contents of the saddlebags were strewn hither and yon. <br /><br />With her heart hammering, she wrapped the reins around the brake handle and jumped from the carriage. As quickly as she could, she approached the man on the ground. Falling to her knees beside him, her skirt billowed up like a full sail against the wind, and she paused while she patted it down. <br /><br />Tentatively, she touched his shoulder with her gloved hand.<br />"Sir? Sir? Can you hear me?" She almost bent double to peer into his bloodied face. "Can you speak?"