One chance in a lifetime copy

ONE CHANCE IN A LIFETIME
PROLOGUE
1868
“Everyone get your hands up! This is a holdup. No one do anything foolish and nobody will
get hurt!”
The Kid Calloway gang had entered the bank through the front doors as if they were true
customers. The tellers didn’t have a clue that they were fixing to be robbed nor did they
have a clue as to the violence these men were about to entail.
Jack Gifford had been a regular at the bank since its opening in Lexington in 1863. He had
seen many changes in the banking ways just in five years. He had never been a witness to a
robbery.
All he knew was that the entire town’s money was invested here in some way and he couldn’t
let these villains have what he and his neighbors had worked so hard to come by.
Jack saw - as the gang of robbers were making their way through the bank doors - what was
fixing to take place. He had a wife and child at home and he knew he shouldn’t try to be a
hero. Jack had never been a hero at anything but he also felt that he could save some lives,
not to mention the whole townships money.
Jack slowly drew his gun. One of the robbers caught a movement out of the corner of his eye
and without hesitation, fired upon the armed man to his left.
Jack was bleeding from the open wound in his chest, he slid to the floor, with surprise on his
face. He thought he had the gun hidden enough that they would not have seen it. His position
was behind them so he wondered how they managed to see that Jack had the gun.
As he lay dying, he thought of Angela, his wife and Joey, his 4 year old son. His last words
were for them, “Angie, Joey, I love you both.” Then jack closed his eyes as the darkness of
death closed in.
“Have we got any more Heroes? Come on step forward now, or give us the gold and we’ll be
on our way.”
The bank teller, James Reed, rapidly handed over the gold and the cash. “The vault to,” Kid
Calloway said.

James knew that his death may be the next one. He didn’t want to die. He had too much still
that needed to be taken care of. He didn’t want to leave this earth, he was way too young.
Marriage had not happened yet, he needed to live so he could marry Betsy Rollins next
month.
He walked to the vault, trying to stay calm. Nervously turning the combination, he failed to
get it opened. One of the gunmen fired a shot at the vault. James felt the sweat gathering on
his brow. “Oh, Lord,” he prayed, “just let it open, please.” Finally, he managed to get it open.
With a relief he had never felt before, he stepped aside and let them have all the gold from
the safe.
No one else stepped up to try to aid in averting the robbery.
The two tellers that were there and the four customers had all gotten down to try to not be
shot as the terror of the events began to unfold.
The six gunmen could snatch the lives of all inside this bank if they chose to do so, therefore,
not a one of them dared to move from the position they had taken.
One of the women began to pray aloud for God to let this pass away from them. One of the
gunmen told her to shut up.
“You will meet your maker sooner than you planned if your babbling doesn’t stop.” He told
her.
She began crying harder but praying still but silently for God to release them all from this
horror.
The gunman fired a shot barely missing the woman’s side as he warned her again. “The next
shot goes in your head, so shut up now.”
Her crying became silent as well as her prayers.
Sheriff Barker had only been Sheriff for just over a month. He had been appointed by the
township, mainly because no one else wanted it. He had never had to deal with any kind of
real crime before. The occasional fight at the saloon or some sort of land dispute between
two ranchers was about all he had deal with.
Something was wrong; he could feel it as he watched the riders ride toward the bank. He
was suspicious of what might be fixing to take place; he went to the back of the bank to come
in the back door. Someone had thrown the lock or it was blocked by something and he
couldn’t get in. He kept pushing and shaking on the door trying to keep quiet and not make
notice of himself.

By the time Sheriff Barker managed to get inside, the gang was fixing to ride off. He surveyed
the situation and saw that Jack Gifford had been shot and was either dead or dying.
As Kid Calloway’s gang started to ride off, Kid told the people to count to one hundred before
anyone moved.
The gunmen rode off, leaving a trail of dust.
Sheriff Barker began firing his weapon, to no avail. Jack Gifford was dead and the killers
were getting away.
“I need to form a posse, now! “James, you take Thomas, get several others to go and follow
their trail. We’re not sure which way they will turn when they get farther away. Timothy,
you go to Sheriff Barnes in Winchester, take about four men with you and Samuel, take about
four men and head to Sheriff Wright in Richmond. I want to catch these criminals. They will
hang for their crime here today. I want to be the one to personally do it.”
Several of the townspeople stepped forward to offer their help.
Now the task of telling Angela Gifford that she was now a widow and her son an orphan lay at
hand.
CHAPTER 1
1881

As the sun sets over the silken sky
A new night of loneliness, draweth nigh
“Ma, a man is coming, he is heading for us, looks like!”
Joey Gifford was only four years old when his Pa was killed by Kid Calloway’s gang. Now,
thirteen years later, he was the man of the house. Angela, his mother, often told him of the
father he would never know and how Jack Gifford was the hero of the township.
Things had not gotten much better in Lexington, Kentucky. 1881 was proving to be as bad or
worse than 1868, the year Jack was shot.
As Angela’s thoughts went back to that time, as they often did, she heard her son yell for her.
She had been overprotective of Joey ever since his Pa had died. She ran to the front door to
see a lone rider making his way to them. No one ever visited any more since Jack had passed
unless it was bad news or trouble and she neither wanted nor needed trouble or bad news.
The rider came up and spoke to Joey, tipping his hat. When he saw Angela he rode on toward
her and the house.
Tipping his hat again, “Howdy Ma’am, I just rode in from St. Louis. My name is Seth. Seth
Watkins, I’m looking for work. You wouldn’t be needin’ any help on this big place would ya?”
Angela averted her eyes. She thought this has got to be the best looking man she had seen
since Jack. He was dressed in riding pants and cowboy boots. His shirt was like a second skin
where the sweat had made it cling to him. He looked to be all muscle. He had the bluest eyes
she had ever seen. The man was making her have a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach
and making her knees try to give out.
It scared her to death.
“No Sir, you best be ridin’ on. My boy and I can take care of things around here!”
“Well, now Ma’am, takin’ care of this big spread must be hard on you and your boy. What say
I at least chop some wood for you, you can fix me a plate of that good smelling food and then
I’ll be on my way?”
Usually Angela was quite hospitable to passersby, but this particular one frightened her. She
did not want to get to know him at all.
“Sir, you presume too much. We don’t need any help from a stranger. You just move on now.”
Seth tipped his hat at Angela and said, “Much obliged Ma’am. If you decide you’ll be needin’
any help. I’ll be staying at the hotel in town.”
Angela did not even bother with an answer. She watched him ride away.

“Come on Joey, suppers about ready. Go get cleaned up.”
Seth rode into town thinking about the red headed beauty. She is a wild cat, he thought, and
how he would love to tame her.
Her red hair had some curl but not too much. It hung to her waist. Most red heads had
freckles but not Angela, her skin was milky white. He had noticed her green eyes had a
sparkle in them as if she were ready to do battle. She had a waist so small he believed he
could wrap his hands around it. Those long slender legs, Oh God, what he wouldn’t do to
have them wrapped around his waist.
He stopped at the saw mill looking for work. Old Jonas McCade said he sure could use some
help. With the new railroad coming in, he said there would be a lot more housing coming
into the town.
“Names Seth Watkins, Mr. McCade. I’ll go down here and get me a hotel room and be here
bright and early in the mornin’.”
“No need in getting’ you a hotel, son, no time like the present to get started, we’ll put in
another two or three hours, then you ride on out with me and stay with the missus and
myself.”
“I’d be much obliged, sir.”
While Jonas and Seth were wrapping up the day, Seth thought back to over thirteen years
ago when he was last in this town. He was working undercover to catch the Kid Calloway
gang that had held up banks in several of the towns. They were slick in getting away and the
government needed someone on the inside to catch them and lead them to Carson City. Seth
had led them there, straight into a trap. He paid the price by getting a bullet in his spine that
now caused him to limp. He hoped that the secret of his past would remain were it belonged,
in the past.
Seth had always been the first to step forward if a posse was needed and most likely the one
who caught the criminals. So when the US Calvary had asked him to trail the gang, he did one
better, he joined the gang of outlaws so he would always know where they were. His task
was to lead them into Carson City and from there, the Calvary would get them. Seth also
knew the hiding spots they had for all of the gold they had stolen. He had retrieved most of
it, all except the gold that was buried on the Gifford farm. He wanted Angela Gifford for more
than just her looks; he needed to get to that gold. A reward of $50,000.00 was being offered
for its return. Seth had already received the Medal of Honor for his services but he needed

the reward for the gold. Now here he was back in one of the town’s, the town where the gold
was hidden, the same town that Kid had taken the life of the innocent man Jack Gifford.
He knew too, that Jack Gifford was the deceased husband of Angela, the most beautiful
woman he had ever laid eyes on. Unfortunately, Jack Gifford was also the deceased owner of
the farm the gold was hidden on.
Seth was going to try to fit his way into Angela’s heart, but for no other reason than the gold.
The benefits that might come along with that were okay too.
Seth hadn’t been with a woman in a long time. Last time he remembered had been a saloon
whore over in Missouri. Her name had been Kitty. She was a pretty, petite blond with green
kitten eyes. She knew how to do things that even Seth had never tried. That was a good
memory. That had been about seven months ago. He had left shortly after that for Kentucky.
Seth wasn’t the marrying kind. He wanted that gold on the Gifford Farm so he could get the
reward. So he needed Angela, she would be a good little piece to have but what he felt when
he had first met her, well that would pass.
After supper while Angela cleaned up their modest kitchen, Joey went outside to split some
wood. The nights were still warm and fall was just around the corner.
Joey had never known his pa, but he tried to live up to the legacy that he thought would
make his pa proud. He did all of the many chores that needed to be done around the farm
and helped his ma all he could. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever be able to leave the
farm. He especially thought of that now that he and Ruth Perkins were seeing each other.
Joey really cared a lot for Ruth and was thinking on asking her to marry him. He knew he
loved her the day she let him have her virginity in that barn on the Sellars farm.
They had been picnicking that day and then went for a swim in the lake that was at old man
Sellars’ place. Things got a little out of hand. He tried to control it and so did she, but they
wanted and needed each other too much to think about the consequences.
While they had been swimming, he knew he needed her. When she swam over to him and
started kissing him, he knew he was done for. But he couldn’t control the urge any more than
Ruthie could and she lost her virginity that day in old Sellars barn.
After Joey finished chopping the wood, he told his ma that he was going to see Ruth.
He arrived at Ruth’s house before the sun went completely down, not much light would be
left. She went out the back door, telling her parents she was getting a breath of air and
would be back shortly.

She needed Joe, she loved him. If her ma and pa knew she was meeting him this time of the
evening, they would punish her from seeing him for a long time.
She met Joe by a big old maple tree on old man Sellars place.
Here they were again, he knew he shouldn’t but oh how could he resist making love to Ruthie
again. But he wanted things to be right the next time.
“Ruthie, we can’t. What if something happens? How do we know there aren’t already
consequences from the last time? Baby we need to wait. We will be married soon, I promise”
“Joey, I need you. We have planned to make our lives together anyway and you know your
Ma is not going to let you marry right now without a fuss. I can’t wait any longer I need you.”
“But were? We just can’t make love here. Sooner or later we’ll get caught up at the old barn
and next time, I want it to be right.”
“I want it to be right too. I had never been with a man until you. Let’s go up to the old barn.
You know the old man can’t get in there like he used to and we can keep that our marriage
bed until we have a home set up. Please Joey, I need you.”
Joey kissed her and taking her hand led her up the hill toward the barn. They stopped to
kiss again and taking her hand back into his, led her into the barn.
There the ecstasy and love they both felt overwhelmed them. They made love twice that
evening, both learning from the other experimenting in how to please each other. Joe
couldn’t get enough of her and she couldn’t seem to get enough of him.
When they left the barn, the sun had already set. Joey walked Ruthie home and promised to
see her tomorrow. He had such overwhelming feelings that nothing would stop him from
marrying her short of death. He knew his mother would not be pleased, but he had his life to
lead. No matter though, he loved Ruth. She was his lifeline, just as Pa had been Ma’s lifeline.
He didn’t know what life would be like without Ruth and he really never intended on finding
out. Ma needed a husband, a man of her own, so that he could finally settle down away from
Ma with a life of his own.
Seth couldn’t stop thinking of Angela. Throughout that evening his mind was engrossed with
her beauty. No other female had ever held his attention and kept his mind as spellbound as
Angela Gifford was keeping his.
He had known all those years ago how beautiful she had been but alas, she had been wed and
not a widow. She had been much younger then and of course more vibrant. As he thought
more on it, he realized that no the vibrancy had not diminished in her it had grown with age
and made her beauty even more noticeable.
Her husband newly deceased; all farm activities had fallen on her shoulders.

When the outlaws had buried the gold and money in the barn, he had caught a glimpse of her
as she came out the back door of the house. They were hiding in the barn and she was on
her way to draw water from the well. It was all he could do to hold Kid at bay and keep her
from being raped by him.
“I know what you want; you want that for yourself, don’t you?” Kid admonished him.
“Kid you know she is probably married and I don’t fool with married women.” Seth had told
him. Seth hadn’t realized at the time that the man the gang had killed had been her husband.
“I never have understood you on that. Being married would be a tribute to her at least she
would be experienced and not a sniveling virgin.” Kid had told Seth.
“I guess I haven’t lost my values then - running with you because to me, that’s another man’s
property and it’s sacred. That wouldn’t be like stealing his money or gold. Man you have to
at least have a little decency still about you and leave her alone. Besides we need to keep
moving so we don’t get caught. You know that the Calvary and Posse’s are hot on our tail
right now. Do you want to hang because you can’t keep your libido in check?”
Kid still wanted to go after Angela but Ken McAllister stepped up and grabbed his arm.
“Come on man, Seth is right. We need to get out of here. I for one want to live another day to
come back and get this loot that we have buried and enjoy it. There are other women out
there that are willing. Let’s leave this one.” He had told him.
Kid’s eyes had glassed over with lust. He wanted her badly right now. But Kid knew to leave
it for another time. Turning away he said, “Let’s ride.”
Seth had felt a total relief in Kid leaving without incident. For one – it was too soon to make
the capture of the gang - he hadn’t found the hiding places of all the booty. Two he didn’t
want to kill Kid, he wanted to see him hang. If Kid touched that woman, Seth would have to
kill him.
As Seth thought back to that time, he also wandered if it had been possible that he had fallen
in love with Angela then. He had protected her from Kid. He had thought of her quite often
over the last thirteen years or so.
When Seth had learned a few months ago that it had been her husband that Kid had shot, he
was determined to get back to Lexington. He wanted the loot but he wanted this woman too.
Maybe he wanted to just play with her awhile, take the money and leave. No matter he still
needed to follow these feelings he had had all these years and see if he loved her or lusted
after her. She kept his thoughts occupied now as she had then. Seth was facing many
restless nights ahead trying to clear her from his mind.

CHAPTER 2
The nights are long, dark and lonely
Since she had lost her one and only
The day had been an unusually hard one for Angela. She had thought of Jack all day, and then
the handsome stranger had ridden to the farm.
Sometimes she felt that it was useless trying to keep up with everyday life out here. If it
hadn’t been for Joey being there, she probably would have to sell out. It looked like she
might have to do that anyway, if she didn’t get someone to help with the crops this year.
When Jack died she worked day in and out. It helped to keep her mind off of everything. It
was hard, back breaking work, keeping the farm going by herself. She had had several offers

from the townspeople for their help but she refused. She was determined to do it herself and
had, until Joey got big enough to help. After all it kept her mind off of her loss.
Jack had been the only man that Angela had ever loved. They had known each other since
childhood. They attended the Baptist church together, fished together, had picnics together.
Now she was missing all of that. When she was sixteen and Jack eighteen, he asked her Pa for
her hand in marriage. Everyone had expected it, but what was more, Jack Gifford and Angela
McQueen truly loved each other. Their life together after marriage had been short. Who
would have ever thought that Angela would be a widow at twenty-four with a small child to
raise. They had had five wonderful years together but that hadn’t been anywhere near long
enough. In her opinion fifty years wouldn’t have been enough time. She had loved him so
very much and what’s more he had truly cherished her.
Jack had thought that if Angela had tried, she could have walked on water. In his eyes she
was a saint.
Jack had also put her on a pedestal that she tried to live up to. He was the only man she had
ever known and the only one she had ever planned to know the way God had meant for men
and women to know each other.
The first time that Angela had any reaction to any man since Jack had died was when Seth
had come to the farm today. She just did not want to let go of Jack’s memory. She didn’t
think that any other man could make her feel the way he had made her feel all of their lives.
When Jack died, she felt her life was over. She didn’t know what she was going to do. That is
why she had thrown herself into working the land and taking care of Joey. This way she
didn’t have time to think.
Tomorrow, she needed to ride into town for supplies. She was just about out of everything
they needed. She mentally made the list in her head as to what was still needed. She would
get Joey to hitch up the team in the morning for their journey into town.
She finally slept.
It was a lot harder for Seth to get sleep that night. All he could think of was the woman he
had met yesterday out on her farm. He knew that she was the widow of Jack Gifford. Seth
had asked no questions as to why she was a widow. He already knew. He didn’t know if he
should try to make her fall in love with him or forget it and just retrieve the gold. Thinking
about the way he felt when he was around her, he would almost leave the gold where it was
just to be with her. But then again, she was just a woman albeit the woman he had thought of
for years.
Seth caught himself up in his thoughts. He put a check on them. He didn’t want a
commitment with any woman. Bedding them was one thing, having feelings for them
another entirely.

The room he had at the McCade’s was very luxurious compared to some of the places he had
stayed. He wasn’t used to such luxuries. He had a queen size four post bed with a feather
mattress and pillows, enough coverlets that he was actually over warm. The windows were
open to let in the cool breeze of the waning autumn night. He had long hours ago blown out
the candle that was beside his bed. Tossing and turning, not to get comfortable, but to try to
wash Angela Gifford’s memory from his brain, he finally gave up.
Next morning came around a lot sooner than Seth wanted it to. He had finally gotten up and
sat in the chair next to the window, with a blanket to wrap around him. About an hour of
sleep was all he had gotten and that was in a chair. He knew that work today was going to be
hard. Maybe he would sleep tonight.
Seth was up as usual with the crack of dawn ready to head out to the saw mill. Angela
couldn’t keep invading his mind like this. He had thought of her for years and the beauty she
was to behold. Many restless nights she had been on his thinking agenda.
What if he were in love with her? Seeing her again, brought back all those long ago
memories that he thought he had washed away in his mind.
The first time he had even seen her up close was when he had rode back into town two days
ago. The beauty that he be held then was much more than even his imagination could have
foretold thirteen years ago.
When he had first laid eyes on her from a distance, he had not realized the lushness of her
beautiful body or the fullness of her breasts. The flaming red of her hair had the fullness of
a lioness mane and the green of her eyes were likened to a sleek cat that was ready to be
loved to the fullness that his manhood could provide.
Now that he had seen the closeness of the beautiful Angela Gifford, his mind would not let
the vision unfold only letting the imagination take hold of what could be if they went right
between the two of them.
Only time would tell.
Angela and Joey rode into town at about ten in the morning. She stopped at the general store
to get supplies. She needed flour and sugar, and other supplies for the farm. She saw a bolt
of material and decided to buy it for new curtains. Joey, always liked having sweets around,
so they picked up some candy and a pie that Selma Tompkins had baked. Selma was one of
the best cooks in Fayette County as far as most people were concerned.
Selma was thinking of opening the towns’ first sit down restaurant that was not attached to
the LaFayette hotel.

The LaFayette was the grandest hotel this side of the Rio Grande a lot of people thought. It
was way ahead of itself in architectural design and served the best food that any hotel had
ever served.
“How are you today, Ms. Angela?” Charlie Tompkins asked. Charlie and his wife Selma owned
the general store.
“Fine Charlie and you?”
“Selma is a bit under the weather but other than that we’ve been doing pretty well.”
“I sure do hope she gets to feeling better! If you need anything, just send Justin on out to the
farm and I’ll come back in with him to help.”
“Me and the missus will be much obliged to you, Ms. Angela. Will this be cash or charge?”
“Charge and I’ll be in here Friday a week to take care of everything.”
“We know you’re good for it. Say, have you met Seth Watkins? He just rode in yesterday”
“Yes, he stopped by the farm looking for work. I can’t afford to pay any body so I told him to
be on his way.”
“Well he’s working at the saw mill with McCade. Seems like a pretty nice feller.”
“So it would seem. Good day Charlie and tell Selma, I hope she starts to feeling better.”
Oh sweet Lord, that man stayed in town and she was hoping he would have moved on and
not found work, not here. Not here in Lexington. Well she would just have to not come to
town too often.
Angela and Joey loaded their supplies and was just getting ready to head back to the farm,
when Seth saw them. “Good day Ma’am and how are you today.”
“We’re fine sir and you?” Sitting atop his stallion, Seth Watkins sure was one fine figure of a
man. Angela thought.
“Wish I could have had a better night sleep than what I got.”
“Oh! Really!”
“Couldn’t get any sleep from thinkin’ ‘bout that pretty redhead I met yesterday.”
“Sir, you are impertinent. Have a good day. Giddup.”
Seth couldn’t help but laugh. He would get on the good side of Ms. Angela yet. Only she
didn’t know it. Matter of fact, he didn’t know how he would do it either. But he sure would.
Yes sir he would. He had to.

Ms. Angela Gifford, most eligible widow in Lexington, Kentucky, was not interested in this
man. Why, though, did she keep picturing him in her mind? He’s just another male varmint,
a scoundrel. Why he probably thought that being a widow for so long, she would just jump at
the chance to be with him and in his bed. Well he would find out different. If he decided to
put in the chase for her, she would show him.
Angela knew how to avoid people, men especially. Hadn’t she done it for the last thirteen
years? Why would she start wanting to be around anyone now! She had thought that she
would send Joe to town alone from now on. That way she would have no chance of running
into Seth. The only thing she would go to town for was church services on Sunday.
CHAPTER 3
Why does life leave such blows?
To the heart were all the blood flows
“Ma’” Joey asked, “Why do you dislike Mr. Seth so much?”
“That man is no gentleman, Joey. When a man accosts a woman in that manner he is no
gentleman at all.”
“But momma, he just likes you. I don’t think he’s doing anything at all to hurt you.”
“Joey Gifford you hush your mouth right this minute. We don’t need a man in our lives. I
loved your Pa and I will stay true to his memory.”
“Yes Ma’am!” Joey had a secret smile hidden behind his big brown eyes. He had a feeling that
Momma liked Mr. Seth more than she chose to admit.

Yesterday, Joey had taken Ruth, fishing down at White Crystal Lake. He remembered when
he started acting like he liked her, she acted pretty much just like ma. Now they were almost
inseparable and Ruth had agreed to become his wife next year. He didn’t want to let Ma
know right yet, but he hoped to get her settled with a new husband soon. He didn’t want Ma
to be alone because of the memories she still held for Pa.
Many nights Joey would lie in bed and hear Momma weeping for Pa. “Pa, I love you and
wouldn’t have loved you any less, had you not died a hero. I wish you were here now with
Momma, she’s so very lonely without you.” Joey missed Pa too. Although he was only four
when his Pa died, he could still remember momma’s happiness when Pa came in the door.
He hadn’t seen Momma with the same happiness and smile since Pa had been gone.
Joe thought back to when he had met Ruthie. Three years ago they had been young kids and
friends. She wore braided pigtails which he loved to pull. He had always had a crush on her.
He reckoned that was why he picked at her so much. Usually boys that like girls as much as
he did Ruthie were relentless in their torture of that particular female.
Three years later Ruthie had walked in the door of the Baptist church, her braids gone and in
its place the perfect fixture of immaculate hair was placed on top of her head. She had on a
mauve colored gown that morning which matched the blue eyes she had. Her hair was the
blonde of a white carnation. He felt as if his whole insides would burst into from looking at
the beautiful vision of the angel before him.
That evening he went calling on her. They had been together ever since. It turned out that
her love for him was just as strong as his had been for her.
“I dressed up hoping you would notice me as a woman for once Joey Gifford instead of as the
tom boy you always seemed to think of me as.” Ruthie had told him that evening.
“Oh I saw you as a female alright. I have been in love with you for three years but was too
stupid and afraid to let you know.”
“Joey, I have been in love with you too. I was just waiting for you to notice me.”
“Well I noticed and never stopped noticing. You are beautiful. Someday I plan to make you
completely mine.”
“When that day comes I promise to say yes.”
“I promise to make your life happy forever.” Joey said.
“You will, I know.”
Joe had become the happiest man on earth at that time. Nothing could have bothered him.
He wondered if he and Ruth would have the kind of love that his Ma had retained all these
years for his Pa of would they have the kind of love that Seth had for his Ma.

Indeed, Angela hadn’t been happy since Jack had died. Her nights were filled with grief and
her days filled with work. To keep her mind settled, she refused to slow down.
At 37 soon to be 38, Angela felt she had lived two lifetimes in one. She had known too much
grief in her short life. First Jack was killed then her Ma had passed from some illness that
ate away at her, over 8 years ago. Her Pa couldn’t stand the grief after so many years with his
beloved Mary, so he too soon passed away. They said he had died from the grief of losing
her. Angela had often wondered why she hadn’t died of the same broken heart.
It would be fall soon. Another season passed by. She and Joey would gather the harvest soon
there was so much to do and such little time to do it in. Maybe she should hire some help.
What if she hired that handsome stranger, Seth? Would she be able to continue her loyalty to
Jack’s memory? Would she be able to control this sudden hunger she seemed to have
developed for Seth? The old barn needed some repair as well, so did the house for that
matter! Well she would think on it, she had several weeks to decide.
Seth’s work at the saw mill kept him quite busy. He really needed to get out to Angela
Gifford’s farm and work his way in. He liked her but wasn’t ready for anything serious, he
was too randy for that. Seth had a mission. He just didn’t want anyone in town to know
about it as of yet.
“Seth, we just got an order for lumber for the new train station. Think we can get it filled by
the end of the week?”
Seth looked at the written order. He whistled. “That will take us working from morning to
dark to fill this in 3 days. I suppose I’m up to it, but what about you McCade? Are you up to it?
If not I will put in the extra time.”
“Old age hasn’t got me down yet. You youngen’s think that because we’re over fifty, that we
can’t handle the small stuff anymore. I’ll have you know, I was filling orders four times as big
in a week, while you were still in your nappies.”
“Yes sir! I was just worried about you and all.”
“Well don’t you worry any about me, you hear?”
“Yes sir!”
Such a fine young man, this Seth Watkins was. McCade wished there were more like him.
He sometimes wondered what this world was coming to. Young people ran wild. If he had
done what he has seen a lot of them do when he was younger, he probably wouldn’t be on

this earth to run a saw mill. His Pa would have taken a strap to him and beat him within
inches of his life, he knew.
His Pa had been a big strapping man who put up with no man’s bull shit. McCade was about
twelve when he had seen his Pa take down a hired hand without a thought for his own well
being.
Pa was the manager for a big spread over in Louisville. The hand had handled a horse in the
wrong way and Pa seeing it didn’t like it. When he went over to reprimand him, the man
swung at Pa.
Pa grabbed the man’s arm forcing it behind his back and taking him down to earth, told him
to pack his bags and get off the property.
The man didn’t like Pa telling him he was fired so he came back up swinging. Pa drew back
that big fist of his and one punch had the man out.
The other farm hands carried the man to his bunker and then escorted him off the land.
Twenty two years later that man had not forgotten the embarrassment Pa had caused him.
He showed back up on the land and fired a bullet right through Pa’s skull.
He thought again that the way the kids act today Pa would have killed him. He was glad for
men like Seth who it seemed had some respect and values.
McCade had every reason to believe in Seth. He had watched him work over the last three
days none stop ‘til quittin’ time.
What Seth needed was a good woman to go home to, then maybe he wouldn’t push himself so
hard.
An idea began to form in McCade’s mind. It hadn’t gotten passed him the way Seth looked at
Ms. Angela when she rode into town a couple of days back, nor the way she pretended to hate
him. McCade was very good at watching human nature and these two were meant for each
other, he felt it in his bones. He’d speak with the Missus tonight and together they would
come up with a plan.
Joey knew his mother well enough to know that she certainly didn’t hate Mr. Watkins. To the
contrary, he felt his mother liked him a lot more than she was willing to admit. She was even
fussier the last few days since Watkins had stopped by the farm.
Joey barely remembered his Pa. He knew that momma and Pa must have loved each other
deeply because momma was afraid of losing memory of him.

Pa used to ride Joey on his shoulders and put him up on horseback. Pa taught Joey, even at
four years old, how to fish. Pa looked after him and momma like they were a piece of fine
china that could be broken at any moment. Now Joey was looking after momma, but he was
also planning a wedding. How was momma going to take to that, he just didn’t know? Maybe
having Ruth in the house with momma would help momma’s disposition if she had another
woman to talk to.
Angela was anxious for the fall season to get here to get it over with. Reaping the harvest,
she thought was the hardest part of farming. Thank God Joey was now old enough to help
out.
Her mind kept going back to four days ago when she had met that man. Of all the impudence
in the world, that man sure had his share. She would never admit to the thoughts she had
had about his lips being on hers or him touching her body in the way only Jack had done.
Why would she feel this way? She detested that man.
Yes she detested him but her body was going mad to be possessed by him. She thought of
him throughout the day and the night. She wondered what it would feel like to have him
hold her in his arms as no man had since Jack.
When she was alone in her bedroom she would have fantasies that she could tell no one of.
These must be kept to herself. She was ashamed because she felt she was betraying Jack’s
memory. She couldn’t stop them though she tried.
She imagined having Seth take her in his arms and kiss her. The kiss would become harder
and more demanding with each second that passed by.
His big hands would enfold her breasts, playing with her nipples until they were peaking at
their fullness.
She imagined his hands roving over her naked body, making love to her in a slow and
assuring way until she could stand no more and beg him to enter into the cave of her
wantonness.
Instead of giving in to her, he would move his mouth down to her breasts and taking each
one in turn would suckle until she felt they would burst with the pressure of sexual tingling
and desire.
His tongue licked down the flesh of her torso until she could stand no more tension in her
abdomen. She needed him to possess her now.
“Please Seth, please now! She cried out in her fantasy.

“No, not yet.” He said shaking his head to her forbidden need.
As his tongue worked its way further down, her body quivered with its magnitude of desire.
How could she stand anymore? Could she let him go on? Should she even be having these
thoughts? How could she stop them?
He worked his way to her most private part running his tongue in and out of her inner being.
Sucking hard upon the clitoris and tickling it rapidly with his tongue.
Angela felt so ashamed because she began to feel an orgasm build as she moved her hand
down to assuage her need. Never had she been so wanton.
These feelings and her reaction to the fantasy was even more reason to stay away from him.
She was scared it would become reality.
McCade and Seth worked hard throughout the day. By evening, they had no choice but to
quit, they had lost all sunlight. Both men were so tired when they arrived back at the
McCade’s house that they just wanted to eat, and retire for the night.
Nancy McCade was seeing to supper when Jonas came through the back door. He looked so
tired and weary. Nancy felt like crying for all the years they had put in together and he still
had to be at that saw mill everyday to reek out the small living they made. Oh, sure they had
the finer things that money could buy, but it was costing Jonas his health. She loved him
more than she loved money and the finer things in life. She would gladly give it all up to
keep him alive forever. She was very worried about him now. Jonas refused to let Nancy
take in sewing and scrubbing floors of the rich folk. He had too much pride for that. He
always had said he was the man and he would take care of his little woman.
Nancy and Jonas had a wonderful marriage for over thirty five years, she had adored this
man and lived to see him walk through that door.
“Jonas,” Nancy said, as he was sitting down at the kitchen table, “why don’t you let that nice
Watkins fella take over the mill for a week or so? Take some time off. There sure is a lot of
stuff around here that could use your fixin’ up!” Nancy figured that to get him to stop
working for a week or so, she would need to say that she needed his help on some stuff at
home.
“Nan, darlin’, we have a shipment we have to be gettin’ out for the railroad. They want to
build that new train station and it takes a lot of lumber for that. We bein’ the only saw mill in
town and for over fifty miles away, I have to get this to them by Friday morn.
“Oh, Jonas, that only gives you two more days. How are you ever going to do it?”

The back door slammed and in walked Seth.
“Ma’am, that order will be filled if I have to work all night and day to get it filled. I told Jonas
today how tired he was looking. McCade, I can handle this and maybe hire me another hand
to finish up this weekend on some of the other orders we have.”
“No, No, I need to keep working. Now you two just stop worrying over me.”
Seth looked at Nancy and just shook his head.
“Stubborn old fool,” Nancy said under her breath.
“Well I’m goin’ to get washed up for supper, you coming Seth!”
Seth walked out the door behind Jonas, again he looked at Nancy and thought how sad she
looked.
While the two men were outside, Nancy sat and thought back over her life with Jonas. She
had been fifteen when she met him for the first time but she knew that was the man she
would marry someday. Oh, she had to fight with Pa and Ma because they wanted better for
her than Jonas McCade, but to Nancy there couldn’t be of any better.
Jonas finally took notice of her on her seventeenth birthday. He started to come around
courting. Pa was having a time of it because he wasn’t crazy about Jonas hanging around his
daughter all the time.
Three weeks after her birthday, Jonas had come to the house with flowers and a wedding
ring. The flowers, it turned out, were for her Ma. Jonas thought to win Rebecca Baker over
to his side and then Mr. Baker would follow. Well it didn’t quite happen that way.
Rebecca was indeed pleased with the flowers. “Mr. McCade, if you think that this will make
me give my blessing on you and my daughter, you are foolin’ yourself. Besides, Jonathan will
never give his approval.”
It turned out that Rebecca knew her husband well. Jonas was quickly thrown out of the
house and told never to return. “You best leave my girl alone, McCade. She’s better off
without the likes of you.”
Next day Nancy went looking for Jonas and found him at the creek side.
“Jonas, let’s just run away,” she said while walking up to him.
He looked up with a sad grin. “Nancy, I want your Pa’s blessing on us and they will never give
that, they hate me. I need to be with you Nancy, but I don’t see how it’s going to happen.”

“Do you love me, Jonas McCade?
“Yeah, I do, but what choice do we have. Running away will just make your Pa that much
madder and then he won’t ever give us his blessing.”
Nancy walked over put her arms around his neck and thoroughly kissed him until he thought
his knees was going to give out. “Please, don’t be such a goose. If you love me, meet me by
the elm tree down by the gate at midnight.”
“I’ll have to think on this Nancy.”
Putting her hands on her hips, “so you need to think if you love me enough or not, be there!”
Nancy lifted her skirts and started to run back to the homestead.
At ten minute before midnight, Nancy climbed out her bedroom window. When she got to
the elm tree, Jonas was not there. She decided to wait, she felt like he loved her enough and
he would be there. At about one minute after, she heard the crackle of limbs. Not being
completely sure that it was Jonas, she picked up a big limb ready to swing if need be. It was
Jonas.
“Nancy, I still don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Well if Pa would be more reasonable, we wouldn’t have to do this, but Jonas McCade, I am
running away with you tonight to marry and if you don’t want to, well then, I guess you just
don’t love me enough.
“Are you absolutely positive this is what you want?”
“Yes”
“Well, against my better judgment, let’s go!”
Nancy and Jonas were married the next morning over in Lexington.
Their wedding night had been remarkable. Nancy had never been with any man and she
was glad she had waited for Jonas. He had been gentle and kind to the fact of her virginity.
They both had learned together that night as Jonas had only been with one other woman.
He did know how to please her and taught her how to please him.
He had made love to her in ways that she never thought possible.

When they arrived at the Phoenix hotel after the ceremony, Jonas checked them in. The
clerk assigned them a room on the second floor. Jonas carried her across the threshold and
gently laid her on the bed.
“If you aren’t ready for this my love, we can wait.” Jonas had told her.
“No, I already have a burning need that I don’t understand but I do know that only you can
quench this burning desire.” Nancy had replied.
“If you are sure then……”
“I have never been surer of anything.”
“You know they say the first time hurts. I promise to be as gentle as possible.” Jonas told her.
“I know you will and I am ready.”
Jonas came to her and lay down beside her, both still in their clothing.
Taking her in his arms, Jonas began the kiss of the ages. He made love to her face, lips, eyes,
and neck. She was already burning with sweet desire when he began to unbutton her dress.
Her breasts sprang forward. At first she felt a wave of shame but realized this is her husband
and his right to see her this way.
Jonas massaged her breasts and feather touching the nipples, they began to get hard. His
mouth moved down to take one in his warm mouth and Nancy gasped with her pleasure. He
suckled upon her breasts for a long time it seemed to her while her private areas was
becoming wetter with forbidden yet unknown desire.
His tongue licked while his teeth gently nipped the oracles of her flesh. Farther down he
went and stopped at her naval. His tongue licked in and out of naval as if it were her secret
woman’s passage.
He parted her legs and placing his head between them began the age old ritual of sucking
and licking her clitoris.
Nancy had never even come close in her wildest imaginations of the pleasure she was
feeling. Her whole body was tensing. She wanted to pull away but yet wanted more. The
sweet torture of his administrations was driving her to madness in her ecstasy of passion.
Her orgasm was building to the point of no return. How could anything feel so good that her
mother had told her would be so wrong for her to enjoy?
She had been taught that this was a woman’s duty to her husband and meant for his
enjoyment not hers. She had been told that there was no enjoyment but something that
would need to be endured upon the taking of a man.

Should she be ashamed of her body’s reaction to his love making? Was she a bad woman?
Bad woman or not, she wanted more - more of this unknown passion that was building
within her. It was taking over her insides. Her heart was pounding like it had never
pounded. Sweat was pouring from her brow. She tried to stop this forbidden feeling from
happening but couldn’t stop it. She found it hard to breathe because she might lose the
pressure that was building within her. Building to a point of no return and she needed more.
“Please Jonas, I need more. I am burning with this need that you have not quenched. Take
me in the way a man takes a woman. Darling I can stand no more of this without being
fulfilled. Take me now I beg of you.” Nancy begged him.
Jonas already at full erection couldn’t get enough of the sweetness between her legs. Her
juices flowed into his mouth as he drank the nectar of her untried womanhood. He realized
she needed more but he wasn’t ready to take the gift she was offering.
He inserted a finger running it back and forth while his mouth sucked her passion. Nancy
shook with the first wave of the orgasm that made her body although stiffened bend on its
own without any control from her senses. She was flying, flying to an unknown world. A
world yet unexplored by her but she was willing to take on the terror yet the wondrous idea
of.
Jonas raising from his administrations of his mouth, raised to kiss her lips as the flames
began to burn within his desire.
Removing his finger he spread her legs wide to prepare to enter her.
The tip of his penis was playing with the already engorged clitoris.
Nancy arched her body to receive him.
Holding her tight he said, “Nancy my love, this will sting but a minute. I do not want to hurt
you ever, but I fear this will. Hold on to me tight and squeeze my arms when the pain
begins.”
She looked in his eyes which were filled with so much love that she had no fear. She shook
her head telling him to enter her now.
She needed him inside her body now.
Jonas entered her. For a moment Nancy thought she may faint with the pain of his largeness
inside her, but as Jonas lay completely still allowing her body to become accustomed to him,
the pain began to recede.
As Jonas once again began to move within her the pleasure began to arise again. A pleasure
that was yet the unknown but better than all of the other administrations he had done.
Although all had been wondrous this was something more. The ultimate satisfaction of a
man taking his woman to unexplored places and being as one so no fear could enter in.

Jonas had moved slowly within her at first and then faster as his pleasure began to take hold.
The feeling was one he too had never enjoyed until this moment with his bride.
He had chosen right when he chose her. No other woman could ever bring him to these
heights of passion as his Nancy was doing.
He exploded within her. Spilling his seed so rapidly that another orgasm rocked him as it
was spilling. He had never had that to happen before.
He rolled from her quivering body and pulled her in his arms.
After his labored breathing had gotten under control, he asked if she were alright.
“I have never felt such feelings in my life Jonas. I am more than alright. I am happier than I
have ever thought possible. I never want to miss a day of your making love to me.”
“There will be times my love when we can’t. But I will make love to you for the rest of our
lives every time we can.”
“What do mean times when we can’t? I don’t know about these things so tell me.”
“When your monthly courses are upon you, we can’t and if your belly grows big with my
child we can’t. Other than those times Nancy we will be as one in the bedchamber.”
“I love you so much; I want to be with you always like this.”
“You will my dear, you will. Are you sure you are okay though now. Please tell me I didn’t
hurt you too much.”
“No Jonas it did not hurt much, just a stinging.”
“I promise it will never hurt again. From now on you will only feel the passion. Try to sleep
now my darling wife.”
Jonas kisses her eyelids and they both slept a peaceful relaxed sleep.
When they went back to the homestead to get her belongings, Pa tried to shoot Jonas and
then threw her out. Since that fateful day, she had not laid eyes on her parents. She had
never looked back, nor wanted to. Her happiness had been right here with Jonas McCade.
They had never had children of their own but loved all children. They felt their lives had
been fulfilled by the children in their town they had run across and helped the parents all
they could to nurture these kids. Now Seth Watkins was here and he had overnight become
the son they had never had of their own.

Jonas and Seth came inside from washing up. “My Lord, woman, something sure does smell
good,” said Jonas.
“You and Mr. Watkins have a seat and I’ll serve you up with fried chicken, mashed potatoes,
gravy and biscuits, and an ear of corn. After you’ve eaten all of that, I made a fresh hot apple
pie for your desert.”
Seth’s mouth was watering.
Jonas never failed the wonder of having won Nancy for his own. That night, as Jonas held his
beloved Nancy in his arms, he remembered to speak to her about trying to be the go between
for Seth and Angela.
“Sweetheart, I’ve been meaning to speak to you all day about Seth.” Nancy lay, listening; she
never interrupted, always wanting to hear what he had to say.
“It seems our Seth likes Ms. Angela Gifford an awful lot. By the looks I’ve seen pass on her
face, when she sees him, I’d say she doesn’t dislike him as much as she let’s on. What say
you, that we do a little matchmaking? I think those two are meant for each other!”
“Why Jonas, that is a wonderful idea! I’ll start making some plans.” Nancy was very excited.
Animated, she said “the wheels are already starting to turn.”
“That’s just one of the many reasons I love you so much woman. Come closer.”
Nancy moved closer if that were possible, and wrapped in his loving arms she soon fell
asleep.
CHAPTER 4
Time passes like a gentle summer breeze
Like voices whispering through the trees
Angela sat by the fireplace with her knitting needle in hand. Joey needed some new gloves
for the winter that was coming on. Soon she’d need to knit him some new socks as well.
Her mind went back to when she had married Jack and the life they had shared together.
Jack always seemed to do what was right no matter if he or someone else were hurt in the
process at the time. In the long run – it always seemed to turn out right.
She remembered when Joey had been born. That had been a particular bad winter with a
wet summer before it. Jack thought the crops were going to fail and with worry over Angela

and the condition she was in, he had borrowed money from the bank to get them through the
long winter nights that would be coming and to have enough for the coming baby. Jack had
worked from dawn ‘til dusk to make the crops succeed that year. It had paid off - they had
enough from the crops to pay for the loan he had gotten and then some.
Jack always told her how much he loved and cherished her. She knew, when their child had
finally been born, just how much he really loved her.
Angela had went into labor in the early hours of a dreadfully cold winter night, right before
Christmas. Jack rode out in the middle of the night to get the doc. He had found him just a
few hours later in the arms of one Ms. Tinesdale from the “local women of the night” saloon.
Jack had told him that Angela was in labor and needed him now, he could finish this business
up later.
The doc, knowing that Angela was Jacks world, left Ms. Tinesdale and went with Jack to the
farm.
Angela’s labor hadn’t been particularly hard on her, but Jack was a different story. Jack
paced the floor for most of the time while Angela’s labor was going on. Finally, after eleven
hours of labor, Joey had been born.
You would have thought that Joey’s birth was that of a prince or something the way that Jack
crowed about it to everyone.
Angela had a grand smile with the remembrance. Funny, she had no bad memories of their
life together – only when his death had happened………
Their love had been as natural as a sunrise. When they had wed Jack was gentle in his love
making to her but somehow her body would not feel what it had felt just at the thought of
Seth Watkins. She knew with no doubt that Jack had loved her but there were other parts of
her body that burned for him to make love to.
Jack tried to make love to her. As he had been taught and decided to live by, in the bedroom
the man was in charge. As long as he had gotten his pleasure the wife’s pleasure didn’t
matter. Most women didn‘t feel anything anyway. It was the woman’s duty to give in to her
man.
Angela had known there was more to passion than what she had with Jack. It wasn’t bad
loving there just could have been more as she knew there could be.
His kisses had always been like sweet wine on her lips and would always do a lot to prepare
her for Jack’s prowess. Sometimes he would rub her breasts, but never did she feel his
mouth on them or on any other part of her body other than her lips.
Jack just simply didn’t believe in it. God’s law – to Jack – was to procreate and that is all it
was about.

She had loved him though with all of her heart and soul. He was gentle and kind and treated
her like she was the only woman on earth. He really made her feel as if she were just that.
When he died a part of her died as well.
She didn’t want to think about that now. Now she couldn’t keep her mind off of Seth Watkins.
Why had this man come into town to ruin the quiet little world that she had built for Joey
and herself?
Angela knitted the gloves, hoping to have them ready soon for the cold weather was about
set in. It was already starting to get cooler in the early morning hours that Joe had to work
in. She wasn’t looking forward to the long winter ahead. When Jack was alive, he always had
the firewood ready for the fireplace, now either Joey or herself had to get it in and Joey
seemed to be gone an awful lot lately. So it was mostly left up to her.
She put her knitting aside and brought in some wood for the fire. Putting one hand at her
lower back she stretched and yawned. It was time she turned in for the night.
The next morning, Seth and Jonas busy at the saw mill as usual, started talking about the
bank robbery that had taken place thirteen years ago.
“The widow Gifford was the wife to the man that the bank robbers shot. Jack saw what they
were doing and thought that he would save the towns money. He pulled his gun and one of
the robbers saw him out of the corner of his eye. The robber was quicker and killed poor old
Jack with one shot.”
Seth had to keep up the pretense that he didn’t know who Angela was. He said, “Angela
Gifford was his wife”?
“Yep, and she has worked and worked on that farm ever since, trying to keep what Jack had
gotten them going, her and that boy of hers.”
“Well, I’ll be danged, I didn’t realize that.”
“How could you, you being new to town and all. It’s not something that we townsfolk speak
about often.”
“I’m just saying that I knew she acted like she didn’t care much for finding a man to be in her
life. I just thought something bad, like a crime against her, had happened,” Seth said.
“Well in a manner of speaking, it did.”
“I guess I’ll just have to be careful how I go about trying to court her then” Seth said with a
big grin on his face. He hadn’t told Jonas or anyone, how he had started feeling over the
Widow Gifford.

“You don’t say.” Jonas said, grinning back. “So, do you think she will ever give you notice”?
“I’m sure having a hard time getting her to. I sure do like that woman.”
“Well, Seth, Oh boy, I think me and the missus will just have to see what we can do to push
this along. She has been without a husband an awful long time, maybe we can get her to take
one.”
“Do you think she would listen?”
“Well we’ll have to go about this in a delicate manner. What she doesn’t know is happenin’,
might just be good for her.”
Seth turned back to his work. ‘Did McCade mean what he thinks he meant?’ Hot damn he
sure does hope it works. Seth started whistling ‘Dixie’.
Later that evening, after Seth and McCade arrived back home, McCade had a talk with Nancy
about Seth. He told her he had confirmed Seth’s feelings for Angela. So I was wondering if
after our talk last night, if maybe you had come up with a way to get those two to the alter?
“I already have a plan brewing in my mind to match make them two, now I only have to
worry about her liking him.” Nancy said laughing.
“Well are you going to let me in on it?”
“I thought, since winter hadn’t quite arrived yet, since we still have some warm days, how
about a quiet picnic after church in a couple Sundays? Do you think that will work?”
“Well it just might. Let’s plan and we might have to get someone else involved to make it
happen. We’ll plan it out perfectly, you and I, and those two will be wed before the years up.

CHAPTER 5
Does love come but once in a lifetime
How can we tell from the pain we endured the first time around?
Dear Lord, Please just give me some sign
That the love that has found me will once again be bound
“Joey, I’m expecting!”
“Expecting what?” Then it hit him what Ruth meant.
“A baby, God Joey, don’t be so dense! What do we do now? I know your mother is going to be
very upset.
“Ruth, we are of age and I love you. Don’t worry. We will find a preacher tonight. I am happy
about this. I really want you to stop worrying about everything, this minute. We have our
little one to think of now.”
“But what will people think? I mean the time of our marriage and the birth of our child won’t
match.”
“Stop it Ruth! Are you having regrets about our love?”
“No, I would never regret our love!” Ruth was near to tears. “But I’m worried about Ms.
Angela. She’ll be terribly angry.”

“I love you and that is all that matters! I’ll handle Ma later. Go to your house, pack what you
can, leave a note for your ma and pa and meet me at six o’clock by the lake.” He gently kissed
her. “Don’t be late my love. I want to start our life together as a family as soon as possible.”
Joey left Ruth and rode to Reverend Jones’ house.
“Thank you, Reverend for seeing me on such short notice.”
Joey went on to tell the Reverend that he and Ruth had planned on marrying later in the
year. They were of age and decided that they wanted to marry now if the Reverend could
perform the ceremony.
The Reverend, although a man of God, still knew human nature. Therefore, he suspected
that Ms. Ruth Perkins was probably expecting. That was the only reason people in these
parts of Kentucky wanted to marry without planning a big ceremony first. Reverend Jones
asked Joey if she was.
“Yes and as we had planned to marry anyway, we would like to just do it sooner rather than
later. We both are happy about this and it will never be a mistake to us. This will just give us
more time to share each other’s lives. So will you marry us tonight? If you can, I told her to
meet me at six tonight and we can be back here by seven.”
“I’ll see the two of you at seven then.”
“Thank you, Reverend.”
So Joey Gifford and Ruth Perkins were married that night.
They spent their wedding night at the LaFayette hotel in town. Joey could hardly contain
himself when he saw Ruth lying in the bed. Her beautiful blond locks spread all around her.
She looked like an angel.
He made love to her like they had never been together before, yet he was gentle. He did not
want to harm the babe she carried.
As Joey lay down beside Ruth, he took her blonde locks in his hand. Not pulling hard but
loving the feel of her silky hair running between his fingers.

He kissed her like it was the first time and as if he had never kissed her before. The hunger
growing within him was filling his very soul with a vibrant passion that rocked his inner
being to the very core of no return.
He loved her and found it hard to be gentle when all he wanted was to ravish the body of this
luscious woman before him. His body was craving what he knew she offered.
He ran his mouth and tongue down her neck, nipping softly. He loved the taste and smell of
her body scent. She had the smell of lilacs and roses which when mixed together were the
best smell this world had to offer. He couldn’t get enough of that smell.
Joe moved on down to her already naked breasts. He loved one with his hand while having
his mouth on the other. He suckled bringing the nipple in and out of his mouth while moving
his tongue over it gentle.
Ruthie moaned her passion. While Joey suckled, Ruthie’s hands moved delicately over his
warm body. She feather touched his neck, shoulders and back. Joey shivered with his
passion.
His body moved down her fragile pregnant body, loving it with his tongue and lips in a way
that Ruth had never been discovered nor had he ever explored.
As he got to the Venus monde he parted her legs to make his exploration complete he placed
a finger in her wet juicy vagina seeing that she was already awaiting his penetration. Raising
his hands up to caress her breasts as his mouth lowered to taste the sweet nectar of her
juices.
Ruth immediately released the built up tension that her body had held in.
Joe mounted her and in his need, made love to her with intensity quickly giving her another
orgasm as his own tension began to build to sweet release.
As they were falling asleep Joey had his hand laying on her stomach, where he nestled the
babe she carried under her heart. His child!
Angela ran outside to the sound of the wagon wheels. She had worried most of the night
because Joey hadn’t come home all night and that was so unlike him. She figured that his
being gone a lot lately might have something to do with that Seth Watkins. It had been two
months since Seth had arrived in town and she hadn’t seen a whole lot of Joey at all during
that time. Now here he was and that Ruth Perkins was with him. She knew how wrong she
was to blame Seth for Joey’s absence. This, she feared was much worse.
She stared opened mouth as Joey helped Ruth alight from the wagon.
“Just where have you been, Joey Gifford and why is she with you this time of morning”?

“Ma, we need to talk! Let’s go inside.”
As the three of them went inside, Angela knew what he was going to say. No, he’s not going to
say that they got married, surely not. She refused to believe that way.
“Joey, I don’t think I really want to hear what you have to say, other than an explanation for
last night. I hope it’s not what I’m thinkin’.
“Ma, sit down and let’s talk.”
Angela sat in her rocker by the fireplace, her favorite place to think.
“WHAT!!!!”
“Ma, I know you are not going to be happy about this. I love you, I really do, but I’m a man
now and have to lead life for myself. Ruth and I eloped last night. Now, I know what you are
going to say and there is no need. What’s done is done. I love her. She will be good company
for you.”
“Joey Gifford, how could you? Ruth this is no reflection on you. I just wish I had been told this
was going to happen.”
“Ma before you start rantin’ and ravin’, Ruth and I did our marriage consummation several
weeks ago. She’s expectin’ your first grandchild.”
“HUMPH” Angela got up and ran from the room. She threw herself on the bed and cried. “Oh,
God Jack, Why did you have to leave? I did the best I could with him now look at what’s
happened.
Joey came into the room. He felt for his ma, but what was he to do. He loved Ruth and was
damned glad he married her and that he was going to be a pa. He quietly closed the door and
just let her cry. She’d get used to the idea. She had to. There was no other choice other than
him and Ruth moving away. He didn’t think his ma would want that so she would learn to
live with this.
Angela didn’t come out of her room all day. She had to think and right now, she was too
angry to be around anyone. She feared what she might say would drive Joey away from her
and she didn’t want that to happen.
“This Sunday, after church, I’m putting our little match making plan into action, Jonas.”
Nancy McCade told her husband that afternoon at lunch. “I think Seth deserves a fair chance
with Angela.”
“I just hope it works.”

“Well, I have the picnic all planned out for the four of us. She won’t refuse me. After we get
there, Justin Tompkins is going to ride over with an emergency for you and I’ll say I have to
go too. That way it leaves the two of them together and Seth just has to work his charm.”
“Nancy, do you really think it will work?”
“Well, probably not at first but I think he’ll grow on her.”
“Women always do know how to go about things like this, so Seth will just have to put his
trust in you.”
“He will.”
Nancy saw Angela as she came through the doors. She knew Angela well enough to realize
something was wrong. She would ask her after services this morning and find out if she
were up to a picnic with her and Jonas.
She told Jonas that she thought Angela had something on her mind this morning.
Reverend Jones stood up at the pulpit and said, “We have had a marriage take place a couple
of days ago and I would like you to meet the newly wedded Mr. and Mrs. Joey Gifford. Joe and
Ruth stand up please. After services, I want everyone to give them their blessings on this
happy occasion.”
Nancy looked over at Angela and saw the raw emotions pass over her face. It seems Angela
couldn’t hide the disappointment that she felt for her son anymore than she could hide the
hidden feelings she had for Seth. She didn’t know if this would work to her advantage today
with getting the picnic together or not. The days were getting cooler and there weren’t many
left before the cold really set in. She had to have this if not today, then soon if her
matchmaking was going to work.
Nancy looked to Jonas for guidance in this matter. He shrugged his shoulders and
whispered, “Ask anyway, it may help her to get through this better. She seems really upset;
maybe she could use the diversion.”
“I’ll do all I can.”
The Reverend sure seemed to be long winded this morning. Maybe the time was just
dragging by. Nancy thought. It also seemed he was giving the sermon especially directed at
Angela. It had been about tolerance, forgiveness and understanding.

Finely the Reverend stood and told the congregation to turn their hymnals to page 368.
“Let’s sing ‘Pass me not, Oh gentle Savior’.”
The service ended with the closing prayer and Nancy made her way to speak to Angela
before congratulating the Newlyweds.
“Angela dear, it seems you may need a little break from things today. Jonas and I want to
invite you to a picnic. No I don’t want to hear that you can’t. I would like you to come. The
fall of the year doesn’t have many nice days like this one. I’ve already gotten the basket of
supplies packed and ready. Jonas and I had planned to ask you today.”
“Yes, I will be glad to come. I need someone to talk with about this whole situation. I am so
very upset.”
“Joey is a grown man now Angela. Sometimes our children don’t always do as we want them
to but we have to forgive and love them and their choices.”
“I know. I just don’t understand why he couldn’t tell me.”
“Oh! You mean they eloped?” Nancy wasn’t born yesterday and she figured out why Angela
Gifford was really upset. It wasn’t the marriage at all. Angela Gifford was going to be a
grandmother and she wasn’t caring for that idea at all.
“I can see it in your eyes and expression that you have guessed. Yes, you are right, Ruth is
expecting.”
“You will see, when this child comes along, you will be glad this happened. It will brighten up
your life and maybe, just maybe, some of that pain that you have held onto for so long, will
ease.”
“After I get used to the idea, I will see that you are probably right.”
“Jonas and I will meet you after services, down by the creek at that big old oak tree.”
“I’ll see you there, and thank you so much for thinking of me.”
“Always dear, always.” Nancy gave Angela a quick hug and made her way to the front. Joe
and Ruth were shaking hands with everyone and getting congratulations. No one had to
know they had eloped and not had a regular ceremony, but a quiet, ceremony instead.
Seth went straight down to the creek. He was going to wait for them but not let on to Angela
that he had been waiting.
He needed to get a plan together. He wanted Ms. Angela but he needed that gold. Maybe he
could have both. He was working it over as to what he needed to do.
Seth went on down the creek side away from where they were to picnic. He was deep in
thought of how he could win Angela and keep the gold as well. He thought that the best way

to have everything was to win Angela and tell her later of the gold. But what if she didn’t
want to see him anymore? What if he lost both? One thing he knew for sure: He needed
Angela.
Seth heard the wagon wheels heading for the oak tree. He would wait about ten minutes and
try to pretend that he just happened upon them.
Jonas climbed down from the wagon and held out his hand to Nancy. He always loved the feel
of her soft skin against his ruggedness. He loved this woman and always had with all of his
heart. He would willingly die for her. So how was he going to tell her, he wouldn’t be here
much longer?
He had gone to the doc a few days back and was told that his heart was giving out. He knew
he needed to slow down but what of taking care of his jewel. He couldn’t let her down.
Nancy put the blanket down and spread it out then got the picnic basket from the wagon. As
she was laying the plates and silverware down, Angela’s wagon pulled up.
“Hey, lady, glad you could make it” said Jonas.
“You were kind to invite me”
“Oh! Phooey, think nothing of it. We just wish we could do it more often,” replied Nancy.
“This is quite nice.” Angela was near to tears. Nancy put an arm around her.
“Now come on dear, those two getting married, well……. It’s not the end of the world.”
“No, it’s not that. Nancy, can I take you into my confidence?”
“You know you can! Why would you even ask?”
“You remember when Jack died; all the townspeople were so kind to me and Joey. Then it
faded and I just kind of went back to being mostly a loner. I miss him so much and I still love
him so! But I am lonely all the same.”
Nancy had begun to see a clear picture of what Angela was fixing to say. It seemed the fates
were with them today. She wanted to listen and not push. Just let today happen as if nothing
were planned.
“Now that Joey has gotten married, I’m afraid that I won’t have anyone. Oh sure, I know they
could stay with me but they won’t want to forever. What am I to do, I have never been
alone?”
“Honey, you’re not going to be alone. You know that. Joe would never leave you totally. Why
don’t you let him build a little home for him and Ruth right there on your spread? Lord

knows it’s big enough. That way, you will have him there always if you needed him. The
baby too, wouldn’t be that far away and you can spoil it to your heart’s content.”
Angela, excitement in her voice, “that is the most wonderful of ideas. Thank you so much. I’ll
talk to him as soon as I get home. There is something else. I never thought of another man
being in my life, but I am young still. Maybe it is time. Do you think letting go a little of Jack’s
memory would hurt?”
Nancy grinned to herself, “No I don’t think it would hurt at all. You have been a widow nigh
on fifteen years. I think it is about time.”
Just at that moment, Angela heard footsteps and looked up. She couldn’t contain the shock
and surprise on her face.
“Nancy, I hope you didn’t invite him! If you did, I am sorry, but I’m leaving.”
Nancy hated lying, but she had gained a measure of confidence from Angela today, that she
had never had before, and she weren’t going to lose it now.
“We didn’t, but it is only common decency, that since he is here, we invite him to stay.
Angela, you don’t have to talk to him if you don’t want to.”
Angela hesitated. “Come on, what harm can I do here?” Seth said
Angela finely relented.
Nancy and Jonas grinned at each other with that knowing smile….. How easy that was!
The foursome sat and talked for awhile before getting the food out to eat. The more Angela
listened to Seth, the more she thought he wasn’t all that bad. It was just the way he made her
body feel when he was this close. She hadn’t felt this alive in many years. She didn’t know
that she would ever feel alive again after Jack’s death. But this man made her feel like life
could be good again.
Jonas jumped up off the blanket to the sound of horse hooves coming their way. Justin
Tompkins was riding like the devil was behind him. He began waving his hat frantically, “Mr.
McCade, Mr. McCade, you got to come quick sir, Pa said that a railroad man was needin’ to
talk to you right now. It can’t wait. I’m sorry, sir but it’s important and Pa said to get you
quick.”
“What is it son? What is going on?” Nancy had gotten up and took Jonas’ arm.
“I don’t know sir, Pa just said come quick!”
Jonas bent down to kiss Nancy bye. She told him she would be worried the whole time he
was gone, so she would just come with him.

Jonas looked over at Seth and Angela, “You two enjoy the picnic. Seth you bring the basket
when you come home. Ms. Angela, I am so sorry about this, but as you can see, I have some
sort of emergency that I need to attend.”
“I’ll just go on home too then and maybe we can make this another day before it gets too cold
out.”
“No, now you just stay and enjoy this fine weather here with Seth. We’ll talk to both of you
later.”
Jonas helped Nancy onto the wagon and slapping the horses with the reins began to follow
Justin back to town.
Angela didn’t know what to make of what just happened.
She started to stand, “well I guess I had best be leaving too.”
Seth put his hand on Angela’s arm, “Please don’t go. Let’s talk for a while and at least enjoy
this fried chicken that Nancy made. I promise to be a perfect gentleman.” He sat smiling up
at her, “Please.”
Angela relented. That smile did her in.
“So, Mr. Watkins, tell me a little more about you. Where are you from? I know you said you
rode in from St. Louis, is that where you live?”
“That is where my family hails from, yes. I am nearing on forty years and never been
married. No children. My ma and pa passed many years ago in a slave
rebellion……………………….”
“Wait, wait,” Angela interrupted, “did you say slaves?”
“Yes ma’am, my family owned several slaves!”
“I didn’t know there were slaves in St. Louis.”
“Honey, there were slaves everywhere until Lincoln’s army helped to free them.”
“My pa and ma didn’t believe in slavery but I had an uncle that had a plantation down in
London.”
“Kentucky?”
“Yes. Then the union soldiers came in. The slaves didn’t rebel, because my uncle was so
good to his people, but the soldiers raped and murdered my aunt and two of my cousins.
They shot my uncle in the spine and injured him so bad that he was never able to walk again.
He passed on about five years ago. That was the last of the family I had besides Joey.”
“Aw honey, I’m sorry!”

The two sat in silence for a few minutes. Then Seth reached for the basket of food at the
same time that Angela did. Their hands touched. Angela jerked her hand away as if burned.
The shock tingled from her fingers to her wrist. Never had she had that happen before not
even with Jack.
“Here allow me,” Seth told her.
They ate in silence and then gathered up everything so they could leave. Seth took the
supplies over to where he had much earlier tethered his horse. When he returned, Angela
was getting on her buggy to leave.
“Come walk with me.”
Angela, confused stood still a moment. She wanted to, but was scared. Oh God she was
scared.
“Come on I just want to talk to you. You got to know me now I want to know more about you.
Please!”
“Well, Mr. Watkins, what is it you would like to know?
“Well for starters, are you from here in Kentucky?
“Yes, my Pa and Ma came here from Ireland. They settled in Versailles. Pa raised tobacco
and Ma took in laundry. I married Jack Gifford when I was eighteen, had Joey and Jack died
four years later. He was murdered. We had been married for five years. My life ended that
day. What more would you like to know Mr. Watkins?” The tone she used was not exactly
rude but more resentment that she should have to talk about it.
Seth felt her every emotion when she had said Jack had been murdered.
He took her hand and led her toward the creek. They walked in silence, each in their own
way, just enjoying being together.
Standing at the rapid moving creek side, Seth looked at Angela. She kept her eyes on the
other side of the creek. Seth took her chin and moved her face toward him.
“Angie, there is something so wonderful about you. I think I fell in love with you the first day
I met you. I have never loved a woman before. Not truly loved one anyway. You are
everything I would like to think I need in my life. Could you just please give me a chance?”
“I don’t know. My memories have for so long been of my husband. He was killed thirteen
years ago in a bank robbery by Kid Calloway’s gang. Part of me died with him. I do not know
if I can ever have feelings again for someone else.”
“Honey, you were so young when he died. Yes, a part of you went with him, a part of your
heart, but that was the part that belonged to him. You still have so much to give. Please let
me try to have a piece of what is left of you.”

Looking deep into her eyes, Seth felt passion that ripped through his body. If he did not
touch her, kiss her soon, he felt a part of him would die. He lifted her chin and caressing her
lips with his thumb, bent to take the kiss from her luscious lips. She offered them and they
kissed with a hunger that had long been suppressed in both of them.
The kiss grew deeper and harder until neither wanted to let go of the other.
Seth was the one to break the kiss. “Darling, I want to be with you too much. Because of that,
I’m taking you back to your wagon. You get on home and I will call for you this evening.”
Angela couldn’t speak, she was so shaken by the kiss that had made her tremble and her
knees could not hold her. She was glad that he was holding her arm; she thought she may
have fallen down if he hadn’t had a hold of her.
CHAPTER 6
Once in a lifetime, true loves come along,
What should I do once that true loves life is gone?
Will my heart ever have another song?
Next morning, at the saw mill, Jonas couldn’t wait to talk to Seth alone. He didn’t get to see
him last night, Seth hadn’t come in. He thought maybe things had not gone well. In his heart
he knew that Seth and Angela were meant to be together.
Seth came in about fifteen minutes after Jonas had.
“How did it go, ole boy?”
“I think there might be hope. I saw her last night. We talked and learned a lot about each
other. That boy of hers and his wife were there so everything was chaperoned.”
“Good to hear that. You know that little lady needs a good man out there to help her run
things. Now that Joe is married, don’t know how much time that boy will spend helping his
ma.”
“She is a sweet little thing, isn’t she?” He spoke of Ruth.

They started working to get the new railroad job out. Jonas and Seth had barely managed the
large order that they had five weeks ago. Now they had a second large order. If the railroad
kept this up, Jonas would die a very rich man.
Shortly after lunch, Seth noticed Jonas didn’t look too well. Knowing how Jonas was he
decided to just watch him. He’s glad he did because about hour and half later, Jonas clutched
his heart.
“McCade, Ole man are you okay? I’ll ride for the doc.”
Seth rode down to Doc Wilkes’ office. He was off his horse and on the docs’ porch before he
could get the horse to stop.
Yelling with everything he had, “Doc, come quick, it’s Jonas.”
Doc Wilkes grabbed his medical bag and putting his coat on, followed Seth out the door.
Thank God that by the time they made it to the saw mill, Jonas was still holding his own.
Doc poured a shot of elixir down his throat and got to work. He massaged his heart until he
could feel the flow and regular heart beat again.
“Jonas, this has been a warning to you. Slow down man or you won’t be here to spend
another Christmas with Nancy.”
“Warning heeded. That had to be the worst pain I have ever endured in my life. What do you
want me to do, Doc?”
“Right now,’ speaking to Seth, ‘I want you to get him home. I’ll go ahead of you and speak to
Nancy.” Jonas tried to interrupt, but Doc put up his hand. “Never mind with you - you are
going to live if I have to sit with you myself all day and night.”
Doc Wilkes had been a doctor in the community for almost ten years. He had treated the
patients in Lexington and even some that were in surrounding counties. He prided himself
on the education he had received by going to the University of Kentucky. Some of the best
Doctors that money could buy had graduated from there.
He had never married, never meeting the right woman. He had had many lovers in his life
but never did he find true love. He threw himself into his doctoring and that is where his life
stayed. He felt that his patients were his family. Sure a man needed passion every once in a
while, but his patients had been true to him as no woman that he had met yet could have
been. The only one he thought he might have married was Angela Gifford, but she didn’t
want another man in her life. Besides, he didn’t think he was good enough for her. She was a
saint.

Now one of his patients was in trouble. He would make sure that Jonas McCade had many
years ahead of him by making him slow down.
He rode up to the McCade house and Nancy, fearing the worse, ran out to meet him. “Don’t
worry, Jonas is okay. He wouldn’t have been if Seth hadn’t been at the mill today with him
though. Nancy we need to talk and I’d like to do so before Seth gets Jonas home.”
“What happened, Doc? I need to know the truth. Jonas wants to keep things from me because
he doesn’t want me to worry. Please tell me the truth.”
“Jonas had, what I believe to be, a heart attack today.” Nancy’s hand went to her mouth as
fear set in. “He’s okay, but barely. I need you to make sure he stays in the bed and eats right.
He is a stubborn man and you will have a time of convincing him to stay put. His health
relies on your being firm and strong. I have this bottle of elixir. At the onset of any pains in
his chest, give him a shot of this. It will help. But if he doesn’t rest, he will not be here to see
the next holiday.”
“I told him a week ago that he was not looking too well and I wanted him to rest. I tried then
to get him to let Seth take over the mill for a while and him to relax. He wouldn’t listen.”
Nancy told Doc.
“It was right then that I told him that his heart was going bad. Nancy this is vital. I will talk to
Seth, I’m sure he won’t mind helping out.”
Seth had just arrived at the house with Jonas. Doc Wilkes went outside to help him in with
Nancy on his heels.
“Jonas! Darling! Oh my darling husband thank God you are home and that doc got the pain
stopped!”
“Nancy, I’m okay, quit worrying so much my dear.”
“Doc says you need to rest and I am going to see that you do. I mean that Jonas McCade. If
you love me, you will rest and get well so I don’t lose you.”
“Aw Nancy, why do you always get me with the ‘if you love me’, you know I do.”
“Then rest so you can stay with me Jonas, Please!”
“Okay, Doc, I guess the missus isn’t gonna let me be bad and get away with anything, so tell
me what I need to do.”
“Rest and listen to Nancy. I’ve told her everything that you will need to do.”
“Okay thank you Doc.” Jonas replied.

Angela kept thinking about yesterday with Seth. He made her feel different than Jack had.
She felt so ashamed. She thought she had abused Jack’s memory not only yesterday but all
the times she had dreamed of Seth and the sexual fantasy she kept locked inside her heart.
She and Seth had spent that evening talking and learning about each other. It felt so good to
be with him. She felt different. When he touched her and kissed her, she melted.
Was it because it had been so long since she had been touched or kissed?
She was so confused about things. She loved Jack, she knew she had. How can she feel this
way about someone else? Especially someone she had only met a little over a month ago.
Joe hadn’t failed in his notice of his ma’s new reaction to Mr. Watkins. He was glad. Maybe,
he had thought everything would work out after all. He and Ruth, after talking to his ma and
Mr. Watkins for a little while, had left the room, unnoticed, he was sure, by the two people in
his living room. They had been so into each other, that he and Ruth might as well have been
invisible. He could tell Mr. Watkins already loved his ma and ma had similar feelings for Mr.
Watkins.
He and Ruth retired to the bedroom, after talking and giggling together about ma being in
love, he made passionate love to Ruth.
Marriage had seemed to bring out more passion and explorations in them than their love
making had before. He began by kissing her lips, running his tongue in and out of her mouth.
Oh it was so sweet. She fenced her tongue back and forth with his drawing more passion
than they ever had imagined.
He withdrew his mouth just to lick her neck and nibble on her ear lobes.
His hand was gently kneading her breast and rolling her nipples between his fingers. He
brought his mouth down and began to suckle upon her breast, feasting upon her pure
sweetness.
He licked and nipped and kissed his way down her abdomen, running his tongue in and out
of her naval cavity. His tongue ran down to her precious jewel, were he began to tease with
his tongue and run his finger in and out of her woman’s passage. She was so wet and sweet.
“Aw God baby don’t stop. I need you. Yes, yes. Make love to me Joey, I belong to you.”
Joey kept licking until he quickly brought about her first orgasms of the night. Then he
mounted her. He always tried to be gentle but tonight it was just too much. He had to have
all of her, he needed her. As he held her feet, he raised them to his shoulders, for deeper
penetration. When he entered her, it was the sweetest sensation he had ever gained.

“Aw Joey faster, do it faster and harder darling. I need you give me your love NOW, NOW!”
Joey moved faster and harder until they climaxed together and slept in each other’s arms.
He awoke two more times that night and reached for his only love. She always was ready
and waiting for him to take her.
Now, he thought, ma will soon be happy too.
Later that day, Angela talked to Joey about building a house on the farm for him and his
family. He said they would very much like and appreciate that and would start building this
week.
While they were talking, a knock sounded at the front door. Joey answered it to Mr. Watkins.
“Angela, McCade had a heart attack today at the mill. I’m going to be taking over the
management of it for a while. He’s okay but Doc says he has to rest. I just wanted to let you
know.”
“How is Nancy taking it?”
“She’s a dragon, were he is concerned. She is seeing to it that he is resting and doing as Doc
told him to. How is everyone out here today?”
“Oh we’re all fine. Ma gave me and Ruth some property of our choice and I am going to start
building next week. I’ll need to purchase some lumber from you.”
“I tell you what, get those plans drawn up and we’ll start your lumber order in about another
three days. I’m running way behind on what the railroad needs and its going to be worse
now that McCade is down.”
“Would you need some help at the mill? With getting married, I could sure use the extra
money.”
“I would love for you to start in the morning. I’ll tell McCade tonight.”
Looking with love at Angela, he tipped his hat and told her he would stop by later. He left to
head back toward town.
That evening, Seth told McCade the good news about Joey starting work at the mill.
“You don’t have to worry about anything except getting well.”
“That is a big relief” Nancy told Seth.

“I’m thinking it will do us both good. I want to get closer to Angela and this way her boy will
be right there.”
Jonas didn’t want to be stuck in a bed, he was used to working. He just turned his head into
the pillow when Seth said Joey would be working at the mill. He liked the boy well enough;
he just didn’t want anyone else fooling with his lumber and saws besides Seth. What if that
kid got hurt? He was worried.
Seth said, “I’ll fully train him Jonas, don’t worry. You know, you are so easy to read.”
“He’ll be okay Seth once he sees that Joey is doing a good job and I’m sure that boy will.”
“I’m going back out to the farm, I need to talk to Angela and try to woo that woman. I’ll be
back later.”
Seth hurried out the door; he couldn’t wait to get back to the farm to see Angela. She was so
beautiful. One day, he thought, I will have that beauty for my own. He also wondered when
and how Angela had made him change his mind about marriage, because change it, he
certainly had.
Meanwhile, Nancy was going to fix some chicken soup and try to encourage Jonas to eat
some. He hadn’t eaten all day and to get his strength back, he needed some nourishment.
“Jonas, dear, I’m going to fix you something to eat and I want you to eat it.”
“Nan, honey, I am not up to eating right now, wait until breakfast, I’m sure I will be starving
by then.”
“No, Jonas, I love you and whether you want it or not you will eat. I am so afraid of losing
you.’ She began to cry, ‘please try Jonas. You are my life and my love, maybe I’m being selfish,
but I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
“You’re not going to lose me, least ways not right now. The good Lord ain’t ready for me and
I’m to mean even for Satan to want, so I think our lives are safe together for a while.”
“Jonas McCade, I have never heard you speak blaspheme and I didn’t like that one bit. You
haven’t a mean bone in your body. You will eat or I am going to be very upset. I love you and
YOU ARE GOING TO EAT, do you hear me?”
“Yes ma’am!” Jonas started laughing at his fiery woman. She playfully slapped him with the
pillow. He grabbed her and pulled her down to him, he started kissing her.
“Jonas, this will have to wait until you are well. You have just had a heart attack and I am not
going to risk losing you to satisfy your sexual appetite, you will use enough energy for the
hunger appetite.”
“Oh, I am hungry all right, just not for food.”

“No Jonas. I never thought I would say that to you, but right now I mean it. NO.” She bounced
out of the bedroom to the kitchen. She began preparing his chicken soup. Then she would
feed him and try to fend off his love. She hated doing that but she wanted him to live for
another day to make love and not die right now and she was worried that loving him like
that now would kill him.
Seth rode out to Angela’s farm. Joey and Ruth were gone. Was this a good idea to stay? He
needed her and he didn’t know if he could control that need.
“Angie, I know with Joe not here and all you may not want me to stay and that’s okay. You
just tell me!”
“Let’s go for a walk over the farm. I’m sure they will be back soon.”
Angela grabbed her winter coat. Taking his arm, they started walking out toward the area
that Joey was going to build his new home. Joe already had staked it.
Seth watched as Angela went around each corner of the stakes to see if she thought the
house would be big enough. She was so very beautiful with her hair blowing in the cold
wintry breeze. He knew he shouldn’t try to kiss her but he couldn’t resist the temptation.
Walking over to her, he took her arm and gently turned her around. Looking deep into her
big green eyes, he brought his mouth down on hers.
The coldness of the day soon began to not feel as bad as the heat from the kiss warmed their
bodies. Kissing and fencing tongues back and forth, putting his hand inside of her coat, he
raised his hand slowly up her belly to her breast; he began to knead the soft flesh through
the dress she had on. Angie moaned. Breaking away from the kiss, she grabbed his hand and
tried to move it.
“Seth, no, I can’t just let you feel all over me. I don’t even know you.”
“Angela, what I feel and have felt for you, it does not just want you. I need you. I love you
Angela and have ever since I came to this farm weeks ago looking for work. I will never just
use you and walk away. I need a lifetime with you.”
“It’s not right, Seth and you know it. We can’t just jump into you feeling all over me. I can’t let
you do that. I have to admit that I have some feelings for you too. But Seth, I want to get to
know you; I want to know what these feelings are and if they are right. You have to
understand and give me time to find this out.”
“As much as I need you and want you, I love you enough to give you that time. But please
don’t deny me all the sweetness of your lips. I need to taste you. Please Angie, let me have
this much for now. Everything else can come later.”

“Yes Seth! Oh yes! I want to feel your lips on mine.” She offered that pert little mouth back up
to him. He thoroughly kissed her, keeping his hands on her neck and rubbing up and down
her spine. Angela’s heart was melting in the cold wintry wind. She knew she loved him. It
felt so good to love again.
Joey and Ruth had come in just as Seth was taking his mother in his arms. Joey grinned at
Ruth. His mother was going to be okay.
Joey turned the wagon and left to go back to town. “Why are we turning around? Where are
we going? I need to get back home and get some things done.”
Joe put his hand on Ruth’s knee and smiled. “Let’s give ma and Mr. Watkins some time alone.
Okay.”
“Ahh.’ Ruth smiled understanding dawning on her. ‘I see.”
Angela had never been kissed the way that Seth was kissing her. Her knees were turning to
gel. She did need him. Was it too soon? Should she? Oh God she wanted to. Yes she wanted
him to make love to her. Can she trust him? Will it be a betrayal to Jack? No, she couldn’t use
that; Jack had been dead over thirteen years. Wouldn’t he want her to move on and have a
life? ‘Please understand Jack, I’m still alive and I need this it has been so long’.
Breaking the kiss, Seth said “woman, I need you too much to keep kissing you like this. Let
me take you back to the house and I am going to go back to town. I love you Angie, just
remember that.”
Angela smiled the most angelic smile Seth had ever seen. Her Ma and Pa sure named her
right, she was an angel. “Seth, I trust you and will trust your love.”
He picked up his arms and swung her around, “Yippee” he screamed. He had never had such
joy in his life as this woman had just given him.
He walked back to the house with his arm around his love.
At the door he kissed her bye and told her he would try to get back later. He had to check on
Jonas to make sure he was listening to what Nancy said.
“I love you, Angie, keep that assurance, okay?”
“I will be waiting for your return.”
He kissed her again, never, it seemed, getting enough of her sweetness.

CHAPTER 7
The sadness of feeling comes to life
When things are found to be
Not what they seem
But what you are meant to see.
Jonas was feeling better than he had two weeks ago, when the heart attack happened. Nancy
had watched him like a dragon to make sure he obeyed the Doctors orders. She had not only
cooked his food but fed him as well. He kind of enjoyed having her act the care taker. At
times he would wait until she had left the room and then start laughing at the way she was
treating him. He knew Nancy loved him, of that there was no doubt.
She swung into the room carrying clean linens. “I’m going to help you get up so we can
change the bed. Doc says its time you get up and move around a bit. I have water warming
on the stove and clean clothes for you.”
Jonas put his two fingers to his forehead and with a sly grin gave a salute to her, “Yes ma’am!”
She went over to help him up. Jonas didn’t want to make it too hard on her but he wasn’t
going to help a lot either, he loved all this attention. Every time he had gotten the chance, he
would get up out of bed and roam around not letting her know. But if he let her know it,
there would be hell to pay.
He held her arm, acting the weakling, as she took him out to the parlor. She told him to sit
right there while she brought some refreshments.

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