*Author's Note*

Thanks for all of the follows, faves, and reviews.

This is the first deleted scene of this story. It's set sometime after the pig trial, but before Thanksgiving in 1878. Softer Tolbert (the one trying to court Novella) is in this, fyi.

Deleted Scene 1: McCoy's Woods

Novella POV:

After supper me and Tolbert took a walk 'round the McCoy woods as the sun started to set, castin' a golden glow on the jewel tone trees in the crisp fall season. We didn't really talk much, but to my surprise the silence between me and Tolbert was peaceful instead of heavy or awkward. Nothin' but the sound of our boots crunchin' on leaves, twigs, and dryin' grass filled the air. I was content with walkin' side by side with him, just takin' in the beautiful surroundin's of the woods.

Our relationship wasn't were it should be, not for a couple due to be married soon, but I wasn't sure if it ever would be. I know I told him I'd forgive him for accidently smackin' me when drunk, but I was still leery of him. What if he got drunk 'gain and let his temper out on me?

I was broken outta my thought by Tolbert's velvet gruff timbre breakin' the silence in the air with the remark of, "It's a nice evenin' aint it, darlin'?"

"Yea, it is." I agreed since it really was nice out tonight. The crisp air wasn't too chilly, but just cool 'nough for me to wear my brown maroon shawl. Fall was my favorite season, so perhaps I was a bit biased on thinkin' it was beautiful out.

A few silent seconds ticked by 'fore Tolbert spoke 'gain. "Ya know I got the foundation laid. Porch too, but it needs steps."

"Oh, that's good." I told Tolbert a bit tightly as a fake half-smile appeared on my face.

"Ya don't sound too excited 'bout it tho." Tolbert's velvety gruff timbre rang out in the woods as he called me out on my fake enthusiasm, all the while givin' me a tilted look.

"Tolbert, everythin' that happened is still kind'a fresh in the back of my mind, but I'm glad that you're makin' progress on the cabin."

"When I'm done wit' the cabin it's gonna be the finest cabin on both sides of the Tug."

I just nodded my head and continued to walk next to Tolbert in the woods. I'm sure it'll be a nice cabin, but I'm not too sure if I want to live in it. Maybe in time I'll feel more comfortable with my courtship, engagement, and impending marriage 'long with the prospect of living in the cabin Tolbert builds, but right now I'm a bit iffy 'bout all of it. I just want to be able to trust Tolbert, to love him, and I'm afraid he might let me down and hurt me in some way.

As if he could read my most inner thoughts Tolbert stopped dead in his tracks, placed a hand on my shoulder to stop me, an' vowed in a smoothly firm rumble, "I promise ya, Ella, that I'll do ev'thin' humanly possible t'make ya happy an' to make sure ya live in comfort." A softness filled his slate-blue eyes as he declared, "I love ya, darlin', an' nothin'll ever change that. As long as I live, I'll work my hands raw t'support ya an' prove myself worthy of ya, of yer love."

I wanted so bad to believe him. I wanted to be able to trust him, to love him, to be happy with him. I knew that my choice was to either be with Tolbert or to be alone, cursed to grow up t'be an old maid. With a small and hesitant smile, I told him in my followin' voice, "It means a lot to hear ya sayin' that."

Pushin' a piece of my copper-tangled mess of hair 'way from my face Tolbert smirked while tellin' me in a velvety, but husky tone, "Yer my true love, Ella. I feel like yer my other half, the reason my heart beats."

"You really believe that?" I asked, a bit taken aback, since I never pegged grumpy Tolbert as the romantic type. Hell, I read books, some romances like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, and I'm still not convinced true love exist.

"Yes, I do." Tolbert told me, a softness in his gruff voice. Tilted my chin up, gazin' into my eyes for a moment, 'fore leanin' his head down and pressin' a kiss to my lips.

A kiss I wasn't expectin', but returned all the same. After our lips melted 'gainst each other's a few times, a bit softly too, I pulled back an' broke the kiss while placin' my hand flat on Tolbert's chest to keep him distanced slightly from me. "We better head back, it'll be dark soon and I don't want my Uncle Perry or your folks worryin' 'bout us." I told Tolbert, motionin' towards the sky that was slightly darkenin' wit' my head.

"Okay, darlin', lets head back." Tolbert told me 'fore wrappin' an arm 'round my shoulder an' leadin' us out of the McCoy's woods and back towards the house.

AN:

I got a few more deleted/unpolished scenes to clean up and post. Over time it'll get done lol. Hope ya'll liked this deleted scene.