Novel

So I am writing a novel. Yes, It been a long time since I started, but, hey, at least I haven't given up yet! :) So anyways I thought I would post the beginning. urk. the would has never seen this before! nervous of what you guys will think. let me know:

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It was a dark night like no other. The rain had been falling in torrents since dusk when the mysterious traveler rode up to the small house. She slid off her wet horse, pushed the soaked loose strands of hair away from her face and tied her horse to a tree branch. She stumbled toward the door and knocked. No answer. She knocked again. This time she heard a faint voice, “Go away!
“Please sir, let me come in?” She asked.
“No!"
“Sir, I’ve been riding all day long and am tired. Just for a few minutes to warm –"
A small window in the door opened. “What do you want? Can’t you tell we’re not an inn?”
“Yes, sir, I realized and I’ll gladly pay you for your trouble but-"
“Hank! Are you making that poor traveler stand out there in the rain while you question as to what they want?”
“Well…I…you see - ”
Just then a second face showed at the door. “Oh! You poor soaked dear. Come in, come in! Umm…here. Hank, move out of the way, so I can open the door.”
The sweet, plump lady bumped aside her husband, opened the door and motioned for the “soaked dear” to come in. The girl just stood there and pointed back to her horse.
“Please,” she said, “Joshua – my horse. He needs shelter more than I do. And food.”
“Oh I see. Yes, dear. Hank, would you mind taking Joshua to the stables and uh? Well…make him feel right at home!” The lady said with a warm smile.

Hank was about to protest when a gust of wind and rain was blown straight at him. Spitting out water he exclaimed, “Well, doesn’t look like I can get anymore wet! Come on, Joshua; to the stables.”
“And you, my dear girl, to the kitchen!”
“Here, why don’t you hand me that heavy overcoat of yours – why, my goodness child! This must be as heavy as you are! Let me get you some fresh clothes as I see those are soaked through.”
She hurried to a room in the back and brought out a fresh nightgown. “Here, put this on.”
“Oh, thank you so very much. Your kindness is un-payable.”
“A sweet smile from your pretty face is all I need.” The girl gave her a smile and then turned to go sit by the hearth, the kind lady’s eyes watching her every perfect move. But she quickly stirred herself out of her stare and back to reality. “If you don’t mind me asking: your name?”
“Oh! It’s Colette.”
“Ah Colette. What a pretty name. Well, Colette, are you hungry dear?”
“Oh yes! Very much so. I would like – ” The girl’s hand flew to her mouth and she suddenly became very quiet. She continued in a hushed tone, “Whatever you have to offer would be quite lovely.”
“Alright…then…I’ll fix you something warm. Clam chowder is what we had tonight. Is that uh...fine?”
“Yes, thank you.” While Penny hurried off to fix her a bowl, Collette just starred at the fire. It was obvious to Penny that something was troubling her but she knew better than to ask.
“Here you are!”
“Thank you.” Collette’s big brown eyes looked up at Penny and almost melted her heart. Oh the poor thing. I wonder what the matter is. I‘m sure it would help her to talk about – no, no, no, it wouldn’t. It’s her business. Oh Penny, stop it. She’ll be fine. You didn’t even know her till now. And you still don’t know her! Be friendly but not too…

The silence had been too much for Colette. “Has it been raining like this all day?”
Penny almost jumped for she was still in the midst of thinking. “What? Oh! Ah, yes, it has. I do hope it clears up by tomorrow morning for Hank and I are supposed to go fishing!”
“Do you fish?” Colette asked as she finished the last spoonful of her warm soup. “Yes; we both fish. Hank more so than I but I must confess, there’s nothing more satisfying than eating fish that you yourself caught,” Penny admitted with a chuckle.

Just then the door opened and in walked Hank, dripping with cold water from head to foot. Penny gave a little jump for she had forgotten that he had been outside.
“Joshua is warm and well-fed. No need to worry…Miss-”
“Colette. Just Colette. No miss, please.”
“Alright, Colette. Well, I can tell you take great pride in your horse. He is strong and healthy.”
“Thank you. Yes, I love my horse very much. He was given to me by my father before he was…ahem, before he died.”
“Yes, I see. Well that’s a special gift.”
“Yes. Very special.”
Penny saw a tear roll down off of the pretty young girl’s cheek and she quickly changed the subject. “Well, I think we all need to get some sleep. I know Hank and I have a big day ahead of us and I’m pretty sure our little traveler will need to be getting on her way pretty early in the morning.”
Colette looked up and smiled at Penny who was in turn smiling back at her. “Right this way dear and I’ll show you to your room,” Penny said gently as she took her bowl from her.
“Here you are. It’s not very big, but –”
“Oh, it’s fine. Thank you.” Colette said as she looked around the room. It was small indeed, but it looked warm and dry, which was all she needed right now.
“Alright. Then… you’re… fine here?” Penny said in a way that was more of a statement then a question.
“Yes, perfectly. Good Night.”
“Good Night.” Colette gently closed the heavy wooden door behind Penny and then walked over to the side of the bed and sank down onto it. So many questions where running through her tired mind: Why can’t every body be this kind? Why do people try to force other people to do things? Why can’t…her thoughts trailed off into a peaceful sleep.

It was still dark when Colette awoke and judging by the sound of Hank’s snore still very early in the morning. Trying not to trip in the dark, Colette tip-toed to the heavy oak door and opened it without to much noise. She made her way over to the fire which had become mere embers now, and slipped on her clothes which were warm and dry. Rummaging around the kitchen, Colette happened upon a quill and ink and a small piece of parchment and quickly wrote a note, which she hoped was legible since it was still so dark. Just by chance she found a loaf of bread and stuffed that into her pocket.

After stopping to see if Hank was still snoring, which he was, Colette quickly made her way over to the front door. As soon as she reached she noticed it was bolted. Perfect! I can unbolt the door but how in the world am I going to get it bolted back from the outside without the key? The window! Colette remembered the window in her room and bolted back as quietly as possible. She could she the sun coming up through the window and knew she had to leave quickly. Thankfully the window was low enough for her to swing one leg over and out of the window sill. She lifted her body onto the sill swung her other leg out and landed safely and quietly on the ground. She dashed over to the stable, unlatched the door, and grabbed Joshua’s saddle. Quickly she tightened the straps and led Joshua out of the stable. She re-latched the stable door and hoisted herself up onto Joshua’s sleek body. With once friendly click of her heels to his sides he was off and running. Colette stopped once she had reached the top of the hill and looked back over her shoulder. The rising sun was casting an orange-red glow over the peek of the tallest mountain in the distance. Colette smiled. What a glorious day for riding.