It's the height of the American Revolution. You're a widowed colonist, trying your best to raise your toddler son, keep your home out of enemy hands, and stay out of this wretched war. One day, you happen upon a wounded soldier, in need of help a...
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The moon hid in her shadow of clouds while you took your leave. You welcomed the cover of dark, but it would make the path that more treacherous. Sadie loaded your last horse with supplies for the journey. The others were sold for the sacks of grain she fastened to the old nag's saddle. She winnied at Samuel, who dutifully held the lantern per Sadie's orders..
"How far is it?" Thomas asked, watching the dark for any sign of the Colonel's men.
"Two days if we're diligent," you answered, turning your gaze back to Samuel. He had never gone this far from his home before. You worried the toll it would take on him.
Thomas seemed to know your thoughts.
"We'll make a game of it for Samuel," he said,"To keep him busy...,"
"And quiet," you added. The danger was not lost on you. It would only be a matter of time before the Colonel discovered you'd gone. The part that concerned you the most was just how far away you would be when he did.
"You needn't worry," Thomas said, his fingers lightly brushing the back of your hand, eyes still surveying the night.
"I'll protect you," he spoke softly, intertwining his fingers with yours.
You squeezed his hand in return. A thrill smoldered inside of you, bringing a blush to your cheeks and a faintness to your head. Your heart, however, never felt heavier.
Behind you stood the home that you and your beloved Sam built. Every inch of wood and rusty nail bore witness to the life you two made together: the nights where you held each other while the fire faded to embers, the mornings where the sun greeted you while you tended to your dew kissed crops, and the day that Samuel's arrived, completing your family more perfectly than you ever imagined. What would become of it now? Would you ever be able to call this home again? Would those wonderful memories remain beneath the eaves like some ghost?
You looked towards Thomas, mournful tears filled your eyes.
Before you stood a man whom you could love. Heaven help me, you thought, dare I even think it? But there was no winning this battle, no matter how much you tried to fight it. The guilt of it all consumed you at first. How shameful to even consider another man while your husband lay cold beneath the earth. Even more disgraceful, he was the enemy, trained to destroy whatever life remained after Sam. Yet, here he was by your side, steadfast - if not a bit arrogant, clever - if not a bit mischievous, and above all, willing to risk his life for you. What shame was there in loving that?
"Thomas, I ..," the words trembled on your lips. "Yes?" he pressed, gently brushing a tear from your cheek. His eyes seemed so tender and filled with the same trepidation that most certainly was in your own. War will always herald the brave but love will make cowards of us all.
"Thank you," was all you managed to say, secretly cursing yourself. A brief glimpse of disappointment flashed across Thomas' face but he quickly masked it with a rakish grin.
