author’s note: my first time writing for lotim! this is their first time meeting. i haven’t written anything in a while so bare with me! 🌷
The day marked March 29th, 1890. Today was the big annual horse race held by the Grand family. Cristoph Grand, the man of the household is a wealthy miner, a young man who once searched for gold in California who got lucky. He has only one child, a beautiful daughter named Charlotte May.
“Lottie, angel?” her father said as he knocked on the door. His daughter was notorious for her bright personality, the young girl was quite the social butterfly at these events, at least that is what he thought.
Charlotte opens the door and takes in the sight of her father, “Father! This year I think I done out did myself what do you think?” she exclaimed as she does a twirl. The pink ballgown she chose had a built in corset that cinched her in perfectly and her hoop skirt twirled about so with her. Surely this would catch the attention of an eligible man? Charlotte knew that soon she would be wed, but the least she wanted was to be able to choose the man she would end up with.
Mountain Tim looked down at his gloves and sighed. He would be sticking out like a sore thumb around all of these rich people. Cristoph Grand had invited him to his estate for some horse race. The wealthy man was interested in doing business with him after learning about his status of being a bounty hunter. Mountain Tim didn’t understand why that was appealing for such affluent folks like Mr. Grand but he could roll with it. He nods his thanks to the entry man and hops off his horse, leaving Ghost Rider in The Sky to be attended to.
“Alrighty no turnin’ back now,” he mumbled to himself. He looked at the large home of the Grand family and at all of the people gathering around the fountain at the courtyard.
He sure was in for a ride this afternoon. Tim approached the courtyard, standing on the outskirts of the large audience. “This better be worth my time,” he huffed.
Charlotte sat alone, by herself as usual. The first stage of the horse race had ended and it was time for the horses to have their rest break. This was usually when some racers and the audience would get their refreshments. Charlotte observed all the people from her high seat in the bleachers. Why did she have to be so terrible at conversation? Surely someone would want to hang out with her. She shook her head and stood up abruptly, grabbing her skirt to carefully walk down the bleachers and over to a group of young ladies around her age.
“Hello! My name is Charlotte, my father is hosting the race here today! But you probably already know that….I thought it would be impolite for me to not introduce myself,” she smiled at the group of girls and pulled out her handheld fan from her bust.
“Oh no need. We’re aware of who you are,” one of the taller girls said to her before turning her attention back to the other ladies surrounding her.
Charlotte stared at the group of ladies conversing. Well, at least she gave it a shot! She turns around and walks over to the refreshments table. She stares at the bottom of her dress, the hoop skirt so wide that she couldn’t even see her shoes peeking from the dress skirt. Why was it hard to fit in with people? Had she done something wrong to them? Surely she had never met those ladies before so there shouldn’t be any issue. Charlotte was still looking down at her feet while walking to the refreshment table before she bumped into a taller figure.
The calm voice and peculiar accent of the man caught her attention. Charlotte finally snapped out of it and looked up at the man and into his brown eyes. She had never seen this man before and he was quite handsome. A blush began to bloom on her cheeks as she stood there, not quite knowing what to say to him.
“It’s quite hot out is it not? Oh dear I am so sorry sir! I did not mean to—“ she began to fan herself with heavily before stumbling forward into his arms.
What would everyone say about a young maiden fainting into a man’s arms at such an event like this? It would be improper for Lottie to start a scene at her family’s horse race, but that was of no importance when she was welcomed into his embrace.
Mountain Tim was down on one knee, he had gathered quite the crowd around him with this pretty young lady he was desperately fanning off. Damnit! He didn’t like all these people staring at him like this but he was used to it. He wasn’t just some nobody, he was famous himself too and was already quite aggravated by all the unwanted attention he was grabbing.
“Wake up sweetheart,” he mumbled very quietly.
The curly brown-haired girl slowly blinked her eyes open. She leaned her head up and placed her hand on his chest, he chuckled a bit as he stared down at her. This young gal was quite striking, she had the most beautiful green eyes like emeralds and freckles splattered across her nose and cheeks. Mountain Tim sat her up on his knee and looked into her eyes, he continued to fan her gently.
“Yes quite alright,” she blushed as she spoke to him.
Charlotte carefully took the fan from his hands and she nodded to him. By now the crowd lessened as the start of the next stage was beginning.
Mountain Tim was at a loss for words. He wasn’t usually like this. He was frozen in awe at the sight of this young woman. He helped her up and looked at her before tipping his hat to her.
“What’s your name darlin’?” he asked while looking down at her.
“Charlotte, but you can call me Lottie! I much prefer Lottie!” she giggled.
“Lottie? What a pretty name for such a lovely lady,” he tenderly grabbed her hand bringing it up to his lips to place a kiss on it.
“The name’s Mountain Tim, pleased to meet ya’”
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