J.M. Snyder

Once a Yankee soldier, Brance Brenneman has left the War Between the States behind and gone into hiding with his lover, former Confederate Caleb Chilson. Deserters intent on keeping to themselves, they find a nice, sparse acre of land where they can finally settle down. Life falls into domesticated routine for both the brooding Yank and the excitable Rebel. Together they struggle to create a more perfect union forged of love and their shared shapeshifting secret.<br><br>But the discovery of another bobcat encroaching on their territory brings out the possessive alley cat in Caleb, eager to defend his home and his mate. Will the newcomer destroy what they've worked so hard to attain? Or is there room enough for the three of them deep in the wilderness of Pennsylvania?

A More Perfect Union

Caleb was learning to calm himself in Brance’s presence.He was quiet when Brance read to him,and knew enough about his lover’s moods to know when to press his advantage and when to draw back.He wasn’t able to read the words on the pages of that book,no,but he could read the emotions on his lover’s face,in his gestures,in what he didn’t say.Maybe he didn’t always heedthose emotions,and from time to time he still said the wrong thing,but Brance made concessions,too.He let Caleb speak when he needed to,and knew when to respond,or when to let his words just roll over him.Despite their differences,they came together in a heated rush of love and need and desire,forming one whole from their two shattered parts.Caleb knew they were movingto a safe place,a together place,where they’d form a more perfect union between them that would last the rest of their lives.


Chapter 11