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

Chastised,Caleb slunk around Brance’s backside.His tail flicked under Brance’s chin and nose,then darted over his ear,before curling around Brance’s haunches as Caleb sank down on all fours beside him.::Don’t like her,::he huffed,a low growl rumbling in his throat.::Don’t like this.Don’t—::


Brance slapped him with his own tail.::Hush.::


Like a sullen child,Caleb muttered,::Why’s she even here?::


During his little display,the feline on the porch had groomed herself with an air of cool disregard for their antics.Now,smoothing a paw behind her earto turn it inside out,she flicked it right and answered him.::Someone tore out my lair.::She gave Caleb a pointed look that made him hide his muzzle in his forepaws.::Where will I have my litter now?::


Brance shot back,::You came to bother us with that?::


Chapter 13