On the Frontier

[susurrus]

Closed for Perplexia


The boards landed with a clatter in Mr. Quast's wagon just as Aaron started back with a splinter in his finger. It was his second of the day, and would likely not be his last. He remembered how hard it was, and how sore he was the next day, when he first started at Johnson's Mill. The months had strengthened him and toughened his skin, but even so, it wasn't quite tough enough. Bringing the finger to his mouth, he worked the splinter out with his teeth, just as he had so many times before, as he went to the stack for the remainder of Mr. Quast's order.

He could hardly wait until he had enough money to buy a plow. Every evening after work at the sawmill, he hurried home to the land he'd bought with his grandfather's last money. He wanted to be a farmer, but had to do what he could until he could afford the implements necessary to till the ground. There was a lot of work do be done, clearing the trees and rocks, before it would be ready for the plow, anyway, so the job at the mill had been a blessing, the day he rode into Hazelton.

Aaron had grown up with his grandfather. His mother had died giving birth to him, and his father passed away when he was nine.

"Always wanted to be a farmer," his grandfather told him. "Can't get any closer to God than making things grow in the soil he created." When asked why he hadn't pursued farming, the answer came back: "I fell in love. Trouble was, her father wanted nothing to do with a son-in-law who worked the land. He insisted that I join him in his mercantile, with the expectaion that I'd take it over when he got too old. So that's what I did. Your grandma was too much of a prize for me to refuse her daddy's expectations, so I became a merchant.

"Can't say I hated the job, but I can't say I loved it, either. I sure did love your granma, though, and that one thing made it all worthwhile. I wish you could have known her, Aaron." Every time Aaron's grandpa talked about his long-deceased wife, tears came to his eyes and his voice hitched. Aaron had seen the photograph Grandpa carried in the breast pocket of his shirt. It was old and worn, but it had been professionally taken, and must have cost a lot of money. Still, the image was of a young woman, probably in her early twenties, with long curls of dark hair. Aaron couldn't remember seeing a woman more beautiful than the one in that photo. Whenever he took it out, his grandpa treated it like it was the most fragile of children, and always kissed it before it went back in the pocket closest to his heart.

When his grandfather died, the men came. The store he still ran was very much in debt. How much, Aaron had been unaware of. The men came to take everything of any value, right down to the stove in the corner. When they finally left, every counter and shelf was bare, and all the stock in the cellar was gone, too.

The evening before the building was to go on the auction block, Aaron sneaked into cellar of the empty shop, and to the farthest corner from the stairs. His grandpa had shown him this hiding place once a couple years earlier.

"This is the only place they won't look," his grandpa had told him. "Money in the bank, they'll take that. Stock on the shelves, they'll take that. The building itself, they'll sell." The old man reached up to a stone in the corner of the cellar and started to wiggle it. At first, it didn't want to budge, then eventually, it started to work free. When it came away, he placed the stone on the floor, then reached into the gap and pulled out a metal box. When he opened it, Aaron saw a thick stack of paper bills, some gold pieces and jewelry.

"When I'm gone, take this and go. Get out of this place. The only reason I've stayed is because of your grandma's memory. It was a stupid reason to stay here, in a place I had no true ties to." And when Aaron started to speak, he was interrupted, "She's in here." The old man patted his chest. "She's in here." He poked at Aaron's chest. "Wherever you are, she is."

That night, when Aaron drew the box from its hiding place, then opened it box to assure himself its contents were intact, he found that there was far more in it than he remembered. Tears came to his eyes, and he couldn't keep them from falling when he found that the picture of his grandmother - the one that had so lovingly lived near his grandfather's heart - lay on top of it all. His now.

He made his way back to the rooms over the store, where his grandpa had lived for so long, knowing that in the morning, he'd have to find somewhere else to live. It would therefore be the perfect opportunity to follow his grandfather's instructions to leave and make his own way.

Aaron didn't even wait for morning. Taking the box, he walked through the night to Arnhem, where he caught the train West.

Once he'd made his way as far as he thought he needed to, he stepped off the train in the town of Hazelton. To his great fortune, there was a patch of land that was perfect for what he planned. It took all his money but enough to put up a small cabin, buy a horse and some tools. By the time he was finished, he had just enough money to buy a few supplies at the general store.

Looking at the little money left, he realized he was going to need a job if he was going to survive. Farming would come, but living came first. He'd helped his grandpa at the store, but he found as little joy in it as the man who'd told him to get away from it. So, even though it was probably the job he was most suited for, it was also the job he least wanted. So, he stopped at Johnson's Sawmill and offered his services. Mr. Johnson looked Aaron over and finally decided to give him a try.

Two years later, Aaron was a strong young man of 23, and a catch to be had, if anyone had anything to say about it. Several young ladies vied for his attentions, and Aaron treated them courteously and with great charm. However, it was no secret where his interests romantically leaned. He made a point to carry a few pennies in his pocket for when he got off work, so he could stop in at the general store and purchase something, anything. Mostly, it was an excuse to see the shopkeeper's daughter, and by now, there was no secret that was why he was there...

 

[Perplexia]

When she was just 16 he had come to work for her father. She had loved him at first sight. He'd always been kind to her, and in some peoples eyes thought he treated her like a kid sister. He'd let her tag along with him when he'd go to the next town for her father.

The one thing Abigail hated was the way the towns girls swooned over him. It drove her absolutely insane the excuses they would give just to come in the store to see him. He always smiled to them and was very polite and charming. The only thing she hated worse was this town. She wanted out and to travel, but when it came down to it, she was nothing but a shop keepers daughter.

She had plenty of boys that would call on her, but she found them ignorant or too plain. Or simply out to get her fathers store. Aaron had begun to stop by regularly to see her, and he was the only one she would receive. Her father was glad that Aaron wasn't put off by his daughters opinionated point of views, or lack of feminine grace. He marveled how he was the only one she wouldn't talk back to.

Abigail looked at the clock, her red curls lining her face as her long hair was pinned up in a bun. Pinching her cheeks she checked her blouse that outline her busty nature and petite waist. When she took the time to do herself up, she was stunning. When she smiled, it would captivate a crowd. Her green eyes watched the door. Seeing his hat she ducked behind the counter as if she were stocking a shelf.

The little bell rang, telling her someone had entered. She smiled to herself saying "be with you in a moment." She waited rising up with a smile "how can I, Oh hi Aaron, what can i help you with?"

 

[susurrus]

Aaron was feeling pretty rich this afternoon. Mister Johnson had paid him for the week, so he had a whole four dollars and nineteen cents in his pocket.

He had no doubt who would wait on him when he got to the general store. For the last two years, Abby had been the only one who would help him. That was just fine with him, because she was the one he stopped in to see each day, as it was.

The store was pretty busy that afternoon. It seemed nearly everyone in town needed supplies. Before Aaron could spot Abby, Netty Richmond cornered him.

"Hi, Aaron," she cooed, one hand reaching out and caressing the stubble on his cheek.

"Hi, Netty," Aaron said flatly. Netty was a flirt, but nothing more. It wasn't that she appealed to Aaron in the least, but he'd heard from several of the young men in town how she'd promise a kiss or a walk after church or something like that, but then never deliver.

"Aaron, why do you talk to me like that? Don't you like me?" she wheedled in an annoying little girl tone.

Aaron started looking for Abby. Usually she was right there about the time he normally walked in. She must have been waiting on someone else, he figured

"I like you just fine, Netty," he replied, not looking at her. "I'm just not interested in being your guy."

"Why not?" she continued in that sing-song tone. "Ain't I pretty?"

"Yeah, you're pretty enough," he told her, annoyed that every time he'd talked to Netty, she'd felt the need to get him to say she was pretty. "Like I said, though, I'm not gonna be your guy."

"What do you see in Abigail?" Aaron was about the only person besides her parents that Abby let call her anything but her full first name. She could be a pushy girl sometimes, but for some reason, she was just as sweet as could be to Aaron. In fact, it seemed he was the only person she would back down with. Everyone else, including her parents and even the minister, she treated rather badly. She seemed a coarse girl to a lot of people, but to Aaron, she would do practically anything he asked.

"She doesn't treat me like I'm a prize in a carnival, like most of the rest of you girls do." Since he'd come to Hazelton, Aaron knew of at least two catfights that had occurred over him. It was flattering, but embarrassing at the same time. It wasn't the kind of thing he cared to get into. Abby was different from all the other girls he'd met since he'd arrived. At the very least, she had the rest of them all buffaloed, so when she was around, they left him alone. He had no idea whether Abby would actually do anything to any of the other girls if they got too forward, but he wouldn't put it past her.

Netty started saying something else, but then Aaron saw Abby, said, "Excuse me," and left the flirty blond girl standing there, astonished that he'd just walked away from her.

Abby turned from Mrs. Schimmel, handing the older woman her package and started, "How can I..." then when she saw who she was talking to, her face brightened and she said, "Oh, hi, Aaron. What can I help you with?"

Abby didn't smile a whole lot, Aaron had noticed. At least, not when she was working. She was pleasant enough, but he had a feeling she disliked working at a store as much as he had, as much as his grandfather had. When she did smile, though, her entire face changed. She was a pretty girl to start with, but when she smiled, she practically beamed. He felt proud, pleased and honored that every time she saw him, that beautiful smile came over her.

"Hi, Abby," he said. "Today, I need a bag of feed for the chickens, some flour and a box of matches." As she turned to get his order, he asked, "What are you doing tomorrow after church?"

 

[Perplexia]

Abby sighed as she faced the wall. He had forgotten today was her 18th birthday. She went about gathering the items he requested. Her heart ached to look at him. He was so handsome, and he always made her laugh by the witty things he said.

"I was going to go down to the river and do some reading." she replied. That was her normal activity any time she had the opportunity. They had met there several times, he would fish, and she would read, and they would simply enjoy eachothers company. It was their silent time, but it always seemed more special when they were together.

She placed his items upon the counter and rang him up. Her hand lightly brushed his as she placed the coins in the till, This caused her to blush and smile softly. Aaron had a power over her that seemed to make her calm. He could rein her in by a look which is something no one else could ever manage.

The minister had tried once, at her parents bidding, to get her to accept that she should accept the offer of a young mans hand for marriage. That she should change her ways and mind her heathen tongue and be a good soft woman for a man. She had simply told him that if god was fixed on her being a mans property she would have been born with a leash and collar.
He then tried to chastise her for her tongue and she simply stood up, and walked away. It was one of the greater signs of disrespect she could have done.

For that her father took his belt to her and drew blood upon her ivory skin leaving a scar. But when he finished, she simply said, "Do you feel better now father?" which caused her to almost get backhanded had Aaron not stepped in and grabbed his arm. That was the last day Aaron worked there.

She looked up at Aaron with the love in her heart. "thanks for stopping in, its always a pleasure."

 

[susurrus]

Just as he finished talking, he remembered it was Abby's birthday. He'd been thinking of a picnic by the river after church the next day, but if she was already going that direction...

When she didn't reply to his question regarding what she'd be doing the next day, he knew he'd made a mistake in letting her birthday slip his mind. The brightness left her face, and when she handed him the items he'd asked for, she spoke to him as she did any other customer: all business, none of the affection that usually tinged her voice when she talked to him.

However, that changed when he placed the cost of his order in her palm, and their hands made contact, as they had so many times. He saw her body visibly relax and a small sigh escape her lips.

He suddenly had an idea for what to give Abby for her birthday. He just had to make sure his presence would be welcome when she went to her special spot to read. He had a big rock he'd planned to try to move before the sun went completely down, but given the special occasion, that'd have to wait.

When Abby's hand remained on the counter after she'd dropped his pay in the moneybox, he set down the bag of chicken feed and quicky took her hand in his, not caring if anybody saw, and hoping in particular that Netty Richmond noticed.

"When are you going to the river?" he asked. "I'd like to accompany you, if you wouldn't mind."

 

[Perplexia]

Her face blushed again she looked side to side to see if anyone had noticed. They all had which made her blush even more. Any anger she had melted away only he had this strange effect on her. She wanted to cry she was so ecstatic at Nettys reaction. Aaron and her had never been official. She never approached it with him. As far as she knew he saw her more like a friend or a sister. Only once had they almost kissed and then he didn't. He merely helped her up and went away. Things never changed, they were always the same, they were friends and they talked together about his past, what she wanted out of life. He of course was encouraging.
She smiled still blushing "When church is done you may walk with me there if you like." she said softly

 

[susurrus]

"When church is done you may walk with me there if you like."

Aaron figured Abby would let him come with her, but with girls, there's always that possibility that they'll say no, regardless how close you think you are. He'd been hoping she'd be doing something that evening, rather than having to wait all night and sit through the preacher's sermon, but if it had to be that way, it had to be that way.

Still, it was Abby's birthday...

Aaron leaned in and whispered in her ear so no one else could hear:

"I'll be by again at sundown. Meet me out back of the schoolhouse, okay?"

 

[Perplexia]

She looked at him perplexed and nodded. Aaron always had this ability to make her do what he wished. But she couldn't help but blush as his warm breath touched her ear. Her eyes danced as he smiled at her and picked up the feed and his supplies and walked out tipping his hat to the ladies as he went. He was always the perfect gentlemen.

The anger in Netty's eyes made her smile even wider. Yes that's right you flossie she thought to herself. You'll never have him. Even if i never have him, you'll never be good enough for him.

Abby smiled most of the day as she served the customers. Most were taken back by it. She was normally pleasant, but few had the pleasure of her smile. The smile lasted until George Dunn came in. Her face went flat as her eyes did. He was one of the few eligible men in town. Although he had every girl pining after him he set his sights on the one that didn't.

"Miss Johnson, are you not a fine sight for this drab day, just seeing you brings a smile to my face. Would you be so kind as to accompany me on a picnic after church tomorrow."
"No Mr. Dunn, I will not accompany you on a picnic on sunday, or any other day. However i am quite sure that you are without other young ladies who would be honored for your invitation. Was there something particular i could get for you or was that it?"
He grabbed her arm and squeezed it tightly her eyes stared at him with a fire. Her other arm reached under the counter.
"Abigail you will be mine" he declared. Instead of complaining at the pain that seered through her arm a cock of a pistol was made.
"Unless you're planning on being a unic Mr. Dunn, you will leave this store, never speak to me so informally, and never..and i mean never consider me an option for you. Now leave you swine before i put a hole in you."

If anything could be said nice about Abby it was that she was a crack shot. He released her arm and held up his hands walking backwards to the door. Tipping his hat he smiled an unsettling smile and left.
She walked to the door flipping the sign to closed and locking it shutting out the lights. The bruises from his grip were already starting to show.

Slipping out the backdoor with her pistol now in hand she made her way to behind the old school house to meet Aaron.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron headed home to drop off his supplies, cleaned up a little, then headed back out for his meeting with Abby. The big rock in the back field would just have to wait to get moved.

Along the way, he picked a bouquet of wildflowers, to make up for the fact that he hadn't remembered Abby's birthday until it was too late to buy her something fancy without her knowing. Still, he knew she liked flowers, just like any woman did.

He made it to the schoolhouse before she did. The schoolhouse was in a corner of town with one whole side hidden from view. The back side was all woods and a meadow a short distance from the rear of the building. It was a popular meeting spot for romantic trysts of all kinds, and many was the time two pairs of young lovers ran into each other with the same idea in mind, but this time, no one else was waiting.

Aaron ran his fingers through his hair for the twentieth time and waited for Abby to arrive, watching the setting sun droop toward the horizon...

 

[Perplexia]

She slowly walked to meet Aaron watching carefully to be sure she wasn't followed. Seeing the outline of his frame she smiled and walked quicker to him. Only he could bring a smile to her face. Taking the flowers from him she smiled. "you didn't forget" she said softly. Her face blushing at the mere thought that he possibly could have.

"why didn't you say anything when you were in the shop?, and you remembered that wildflowers were my favorite.."

 

[susurrus]

Aaron blushed.

"I won't lie to you, but today was busy enough, I forgot about your birthday until you were standing right there. I was too embarrassed to say anything by that time, because then everybody would have known. I'm sorry.

"I'm glad you like the flowers. I wanted to give you those...." He stepped up closer to Abby and put his hands on her shoulders.

"And this..." With that, he pulled her in close to him and placed his lips against hers, in the first real kiss he'd ever given any woman.

 

[Perplexia]

Abby froze like a statue her mouth opened surrendering to her kiss which she felt down to the pit of her stomach. Her eyes closed as a soft surrender moan escaped her lips. As he broke the kiss she stood there dumb founded. Her eyes fluttered open as she gripped his arm to steady herself. She looked at him confused.
"why, what?" was all she could manage to get out as her mind tried to comprehend what had happened. "Are..no..Are you asking to court me?" she questioned. Needing to be certain the passion in his kiss was what she thought it was.

 

[susurrus]

The kiss started out as one thing and became another. At first, it was just meant to be a very special "happy birthday," but it quickly transformed into something else altogether.

Aaron had never imagined it, but when Abby's mouth relaxed and he tried to sneak his tongue into hers, she let him. It was the most unusual, but the most exciting, thing he'd done in a very long time.

What he'd originally intended to be a small thing caused a flood he didn't know existed to well up and over him. His arms wrapped around Abby until he could feel her breasts press against his chest. He felt his cock start to harden as he and Abby kissed.

After what seemed both an eternity and an eyeblink, they finally parted, and each looked at the other with wonder. Abby tried to speak, but at first, couldn't put together a sentence. Then, eventually, she managed, "Aaron, are you asking to court me?"

The look she gave was one of genuine curiosity and hope. Aaron saw this and for a moment was struck speechless as well. Unable to communicate in any other way at the moment, he once more pulled Abby to him and kissed her again.

 

[Perplexia]

A soft moan echoed through her lips as he kissed her again. Their tongues danced like old lovers reunited, twisting and turning and fighting with a fire and dream of something more. Never had he acted so informal toward, and never had she allowed anyone to be.

She smiled softly blushing as he broke the kiss. Her body still enveloped in his arms like a long time sweathearts would be. The locks of her hair caressed her face as her checks now matched her locks.

Smoothing down her flower pleated printed gown she raised her eyes to his. "If you mean it, you'll meet me at our spot tomorrow after church and ask me in words." she said softly her heart hoping it was true, but dare not at the same time. For if it was false she still wished to cherish this birthday kiss for life eternal.

Running gracefully back to the shop she turned only once to see if he was watching.

 

[susurrus]

Abby reacted to the second kiss even more than she had the first. When they finally pulled their faces away, Aaron saw, even in the waning light, that she was blushing. He suddenly felt embarrassed that he'd made Abby uncomfortable, but he really liked kissing her. That, and he couldn't keep his cock from getting hard while doing it. He wondered, horrified, if she felt it, as closely as they were pressed together.

For some reason, he was having a hard time finding words. Whether it was the intensity of emotion he was feeling, this close to Abby, or the untoward way his body was reacting to it, he didn't know, but his mouth didn't want to make words.

All it wanted to do was keep kissing Abby.

She just answered his silence with a request for a vocal decision the next day at the river. He knew what he wanted to say right then and there, but he just couldn't find the words for it at that moment.

She then gave him that winning smile and bounced away, before her parents discovered she was gone, he guessed. Just before she went inside, he watched Abby turn and look in his direction. It was starting to get pretty dark, so he wasn't sure if she could see, but he waved at her from the corner of the school, whereupon she waved back, then ducked back inside.

 

[Perplexia]

The next day she had the jitters. She could barely stay still in church. Her eyes kept wandering over to Aaron. Her heart fluttered each time he smiled at her. She couldn't help but fidget. When the mundane service was finally complete she was one of the first out the door.
Her parents knew her plans of going to the river. It was her Sunday ritual. Finding her tree she sat in the same spot and looked over the rushing waters.
The sereneness of the cool ripples eased her nerves, and calmed her a way nothing else, with the exception of Aaron ever did.

If he failed to show at least she could remember his kiss. The way he felt touching her skin. The fire that sparked with in her.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron stood at the corner of the schoolhouse for a few minutes after Abby had disappeared inside. His cock was hard. He knew he liked Abby, but it seemed he liked her a whole lot more than he thought.

When he made his way back home, his cock was still hard, his mind filled with thoughts of Abby and how good her lips felt against his, how wonderful her body felt in his arms, how incredible her breasts felt pressed against him.

Aaron found the lantern he kept just inside the door and lit it, then stripped off all his clothes and marveled at how stiff his cock was. He knew a lot of people would consider it a sin, but something he really liked to do when it was like this was to wrap his fist around it and stroke it until he came. He really felt the need to cum this time, and he'd be thinking of Abby the whole time.

His nearest neighbor was over a half mile away, and he seldom had visitors, especially this time of year. This was a good thing, because another of his favorite things to do was to walk around naked, either indoors or out. Once again, many of the churchier type folks in town would frown on such things - would even call him some kind of evil person - but he liked the freedom. It was one thing Abby didn't know about him, and he hoped she'd understand if she ever found out.

Anyhow, Aaron felt the powerful urge to cum, especially after having gotten so aroused kissing Abby. He took the lantern and placed it on the hook outside the door, then walked outside, feeling the night wind blow gently through the hair on his body. It just aroused him more, so he sat on the bench against the house and started stroking his hard-on.

It didn't take very long. His mind watched Abby's body and remembered the soft feel of her lips against his. The feeling of her tongue against his was exciting. Soon, he was moaning her name as spurt after spurt of cum shot from his cock. When it was finally over, he looked down and examined the results of his arousal in the damp lines in the dirt. He began to think even more wicked thoughts, wondering what Abby would look like with streaks of his cum on her...

Aaron sat in church the next morning, pondering over the thoughts that had run through his head the evening before, knowing he should repent for having such wicked thoughts, but also not seeing where they hurt anyone, so did he really have anything to repent for? Besides, Abby kept looking back at him, and the whole time the preacher delivered his sermon, Aaron watched Abby from the corner of his eye, rather than turning his attention to what the preacher was saying.

When church let out, Aaron spoke cordially with the other congregants, endured more flirting from other young women who for years had been trying to catch his eye, but his thoughts were still on Abby and what they'd done the previous night, and what it might mean.

Finally, it was all over, and he saw Abby part from her parents and head for the river. Even though probably everybody already knew he'd end up with her at some point, he decided to hang back. Anyhow, just as he was going to follow behind her, Mr. Nelson cornered him and started to talk to him. Trouble was, Mr. Nelson had almost no teeth, and so understanding him was difficult at best. The other problem was, even when you could understand him, he never said anything that made sense. However, Aaron was too polite to just walk away, so he endured another nonsensical, incoherent monologue, nodding when it seemed appropriate and making short little comments at regular intervals.

Mr. Nelson eventually wandered away, and Aaron dashed from the spot to Abby's special place near the river.

He saw her sitting by the tree, but she wasn't reading. No, she was simply waiting. She wasn't looking around for him, it was as if she just knew he was going to show, so there was no reason to be apprehensive.

As he got closer, before she turned, Aaron started to say, "Abigail Johnson, would you do the honor of allowing me, Aaron Schmidt, to court you?" While he said this, visions of the previous evening replayed in his head...

 

[Perplexia]

She held her breath at the sound of his voice. Pausing a moment replaying the words over and over again in her mind. "yes Aaron" she replied softly turning to him with a smile on her face and a tear running down her cheek.
She rose and quickly ran to him allowing his arms to wrap around it. "I was beginning to think it would never happen" she exclaimed as she hugged him and took a deep inhale of his scent.

Perhaps she was the only one that didn't see it over the years, but now that she had it made her happy. "you know that its not official until you get papas blessing" she advised

 

[susurrus]

Aaron was delighted when Abby agreed, rose,then ran to him and threw her arms around him. His cock started getting hard again when he told himself, 'I have a girl, now.'

When Abby reminded him that he still needed her father's blessing, he laughed. "Abby, not to sound nasty, but do you really think that'll be a problem? I think your pop's been hoping for a man who can tame you for a while now. I know it's no guarantee, but I'll gladly ask him...

"When we're finished here," Aaron said, lowering his lips once more to hers...

 

[Perplexia]

Abby laughed softly enjoying the warmth of his arms. "no i don't think that it would be a problem, but you know how father is." she smiled as he told her not until they were finished here. His lips came to hers and she molded into him as he pushed her lips apart with his tongue.

Her mouth opened taking in his tongue as he probed inside her mouth. Her body melted against him as she lost herself in the kiss. Finally he was hers. All of this hoping and waiting, and the day had finally come where he asked to court her.

Of course there were steps that had to be made before she could order the wedding dress she's had her eye on since she first fell in love with him. The times being what they were, he would court her, then propose, then eventually marry. But at least they were at the first step.

Slowly she broke the kiss, placing her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. "you make my brain foggy" she whispered as she tried to catch her breath.
Eventually she was able to recover and she smiled wide "it took you long enough Aaron Schmidt" she said teasingly as she pushed against his shoulder with her small petite balled fist.

 

[susurrus]

After several minutes kissing Abby - which happened to be just as pleasant as it'd been the evening before - they finally moved apart a bit. Abby looked up at Aaron with a faraway look in her eyes, "You make my brain foggy," she said, quietly.

He watched her with a grin on his face, just loving the sight of her so close. Up until yesterday, they'd kept a proper distance, even when they were alone. A couple times, they'd held hands while walking, but separated when someone else came along. He (and she, he was sure) knew that anyone who saw them at that moment would probably disapprove of them being in each other's arms this way, but it certainly felt good.

Aaron couldn't help his body's reaction to being so close to Abby, but she didn't seem to notice - or must not have minded, if she did. Let's put it this way, if anything, Abby pressed herself in closer to Aaron than she might have otherwise.

When she did finally back away from him, Abby got a smirk on her face, and she gave him a gentle punch on the arm, saying, "It took you long enough, Aaron Schmidt."

He shrugged and replied, "I had to be sure. I had to make sure you didn't have another suitor or two lurking behind my back, y'know.

"So, what are we going to do now? You gonna read, or you want to do something else?"

 

[Perplexia]

"what i would really like to do is take your arm and have you stroll me through town so all the girls could see you picked me. You know for a fact that I've rejected any and everyone that came trying to court me. It's always been you Aaron. There has never nor could ever be anyone but you. I know i'm not suppose to talk like this. But I've never been one for the social graces. I've always spoken my mind and you told me that you admired that of me. I was starting to wonder if you saw me more as a sister or a friend, then as a mate" she said softly blushing a little.
A happy tear fell down her face as she kissed him softly. The hand with the bruises laid upon his chest. Her eyes stared at him dancing as she then hugged him tightly.

 

[susurrus]

Aaron felt like doing exactly the same thing Abby did, as far as showing off their new relationship to the world. However, he knew there were rules to be followed. They could do what they were comfortable with when by themselves, but until he had her father's blessing, he knew they had to keep their distance, a thing that they hopefully wouldn't have to keep much longer.

"Abby, I've never thought of you as a sister or just a friend. Well, maybe at first, when we first met, but you grew on me pretty fast. Until you came, I had all these girly girls giggling and tittering around me, and while the attention was flattering, I got tired of the stupid way they acted.

"You, on the other hand, were friendly to me, but didn't drape yourself all over me like the others did. Nevertheless, you did treat me different. I think you let me see a side of you that you don't show too many folks."

When she pulled away after their kiss, and before she wrapped her arms around him, he noticed the bruise on her hand.

"What happened to your hand?" he asked. "Drop a can of coffee on it or something?" He didn't really think anything of it. Aaron had dropped a sledge hammer on his foot when he worked for his grandfather. The toe turned black, and he even lost the nail on that one, even though the nail grew back. He knew accidents happened. Heck, he had plenty of bruises, scrapes and cuts from clearing the land around the farm, not to mention the minor injuries he got each day working at the sawmill.

 

[Perplexia]

She nodded as he explained that he never thought of her as she imagined. It was true she wasn't like the other girls. She didn't have grandeur dreams of marrying some rich foreigner. The only time she ever thought of marriage at all was when it had Aarons name attached to it.

"George Dunn" she replied as he examined her hand and arm. "He got it in his head that I was suppose to belong to him. That's why i brought the pistol with me when i met you last night. He will try to intimidate you, just so you know. But you have to believe me Aaron. I have never shown interest in him."

For the first time she let the fear of George show in her eyes as she clung to Aaron tightly. Only he could calm her in any situation.

 

[susurrus]

George Dunn. That figured. He'd been a thorn in Aaron's side ever since he'd arrived in Hazelton. Since George had lived there all his life, he seemed to think it entitled him to anything he wished that was around him. He wasn't a bad looking guy, and he had just as many young women hovering around him as Aaron did, but as opposed to Aaron, who kept a polite distance, George tended to gather them around and seemed to enjoy listening to them bicker over who was going to get to spend time with him.

Yes, George let the girls pursue him, but the only girl he ever pursued, himself, was Abby, even though Aaron had watched her physically push him away. That George was getting possessive enough that he'd actually harm Abby, even if it wasn't intended, was alarming, and couldn't be allowed to continue. If something wasn't done, there was the distinct possibility that he'd hurt her even more, so that nobody could have her, or would want her.

Aaron usually laughed George off as the oaf he was, but he felt this deserved to be answered.

And the look that Abby gave him just emphasized the need to not let this pass.

The smile left Aaron's face. George Dunn would have to know that, especially from now on, his treatment of Abby would have to be borne with some manner of respect. Aaron wasn't violent by nature, but he didn't like to see women abused in any way... and especially not his woman.

"Come on," Aaron said distantly. "I think before we talk to your father, we need to make a stop somewhere else..." He took Abby's hand and started toward George Dunn's house.