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

His hand strayed to Brance’s arm again,but Brance shook it off a second time.Still,as he led the way up the porch to the general store,he felt Caleb’s hand on his back,a barely-there,almost unconscious touch that his lover probably wasn’t even aware of himself,so Brance didn’t challenge it.He loved the feel of Caleb’s hands on his body,and it grew harder and harder to keep his distance from the man when in town.That right there was reason enough for him not to visit often.Caleb was right—people most likely didtalk about them,but Brance couldn’t be bothered with their gossip.He’d never let anyone’s opinion influence his own before.


Chapter 16