HUNTER'S TALE

6.

They were fast asleep the next minute in eachother's arms. They literally slept flat on the floor with only an animal's rag underneath them and yet it was far the most sweet and comfortable sleep they had in years. With the first lights and the fire dead already John opened his eyes to find Mary like a bird nested within his hands. He could barely feel his arm, because she used it as a pillow all night, but he didn't mind that. "Mornin'..." he murmured. His voice deep and husky, when he leaned down, pecking once the tip of her nose.

"Good morning, John," she smiled, with eyes closed before she blinked few times and looked at him. She stretched like a cat and purred contently. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a big fat baby," he murmured, kissing her softly. He smirked, seeing her stretching and bit his lip on the sight. "How about ya?" Finding the opportunity to wrapp an arm around her waist, he settled her on top of him with a content smile. "Now that's better." He smiled with a grunt.

Supporting her chin with back of her hands, she smiled and looked at him. "Big fat fluffy baby," she giggled and bit his chest. Her hair messily all around her back, few locks on her face. Curly now as she fell asleep with wet hair.

"Look at that," he marveled her beautiful face by the daylight. He caressed and kissed her chee and once again she blushed. "Ya look pretty with ya hair all over ya and that sleepy face." He poked her nose.

"What's with all the praises?" Mary bit her lip, watching him with sleepy, yet shining eyes. She dipped her head down and kissed his torso, nuzzling her nose against his skin.

"Ain't just butter for ya ears,woman. This peach is pretty damn good lookin'." He chuckled throatily and she giggled, when he nuzzled his ticklish beard on her cheek.

"Is it?" she cocked her brows and smiled softly. With her fingers, she started to roam contours of his body. From his face to his neck, then lower on his shoulders. Studying him curiously, like exploring new land, that she found. Of course it wasn't for the first time she saw man naked, but it was for the first time, she had a chance to be tender and feed her curiosity. "You're beautiful," she told him. And she truly meant her words. Despite his scars, despite wounds, he was strong and healthy.

"Of course I am," he joked and swiftly turned her on her back, kissing her madly and she giggled and laughed and he enjoyed every second of it. Soon after they were done with the morning lovemaking, they washed themselves and dressed up. When Mary had the breakfast ready, John came downstairs and kissed her forehead. He needed to go. She can't stay bonded to that cunt of a husband for long, he needed to go. "Russell will be around. He lives next door on the house with a big barn," he said, settling on the table. "If ya need anythin' ya go to him, alright?"

"Will you come back today or will you sleep in city?" Mary asked and poured him coffee, then put plate with food in front of him.

"I'll ride through the night. I'll be home tomorrow mornin'," he gave her a cheeky wink to make her feel better, because he knew, that she was nervous.

"Just come back to me soon," she came to him and kissed the top of his head, then his forehead and with soft smile sat next to him behind the table.

John didn't respond. Only his eyes softly were staring at her, like he was trying to understand, when he got so much lucky and have her in his life. He continued his breakfast too and kissed her temple before he stood up. "Gotta run," he murmured and threw his pelts around his shoulders. "Take care of yaself," he added, storming outside and soon she heard the gallop of his horse.

John arrived to Houston and found office of a lawyer. His secretary let the man in and he waited for some time before a man of elder age walked out. "Mr Fitzgerald?" He nodded and gestured him to walk in his office. "James Patton. Welcome," he offered John hand to shake and once they did, they sat on a chairs. "What can I do for you, sir?"

"I've come to ask, what exactly do we need to do to help a certain lady to be free of her abusive husband?" He narrowed his eyes on the man slightly. Hoping, that he'd find the answer, he came for.

"Nothing," man nodded, answering. "There is no chance for a woman to get a divorce, sir."

"What do ya mean nothin'?" John straightened up. "She wants to be away from that man, what's so hard to understand?"

"Mr Fitzgerald, have you ever met a woman, who'd say she got divorced?" He spoke calmly, looking at the man. "Divorce, no matter how abusive marriage might be, is in our country unacceptable. A couple could only be divorced by the passage of a private act through Parliament. Which means, it's available only to the very wealthy people. Not for ordinary ones."

Useless, he thought. I made all this way up here for nothing, disappointed as he was, he knew, that if there's a legal way to settle this, he would have share it, but he didn't say anything else than this. "Right, I see." He cleared his throat and stood up. "Thank ya for ya time." He nodded to the man and without thinking twice, he left the office.

The man on his chair sighed. Yes, he could try, but he saw, how women ended after the try to get from hell. John was standing on the street, waiting for carriages to pass by. "Unless the death tears us apart. The woman, who's pronounced dead, is free from marriage," Patton spoke beside John and put on his hat. "Women has no rights, sir. Like you didn't know. Hide her. Change her name. Just don't let her husband let anyhow to know, where she is," he said and walked away to the other side of the street.