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

The bobcat stopped in front of the clothesline,directly between the bed and the fire,which threw the feline’s features into shadow.As Caleb watched,the cat sat down on its rear haunches,raised one paw,and began grooming as if this were its habitat now and it felt perfectly at home among the trappingsof their life.Caleb threw a tortured look at the back door—so far away!—but Brance’s hand on his body kept him still.He knew he’d never make it that far in human form.The cat would pounce on him before he took the first step.


With a gruff hrmph,the feline plopped to the floor.Lying on her side,she stretched out and continued to lick her forepaw,then rub it back over her ear.For the first time Caleb noticed the distended belly.Kittens.From the corner of his mouth,he muttered,“Brance.”


His lover’s hand rubbed over his abdomen,the only indication Brance heard him.


Chapter 12